Food Bank’s ‘Boxing Day’

It doesn’t happen all by itself. Behind every Holiday Meal Box that makes its way to  a needy Hays County family stands an army of people who made it so.

That includes those who gave to Turkeys Tackling Hunger, the Hays County Food Bank-sponsored drive now in its 12th year. It also includes the staff of the food bank and last Friday, the list grew to encompass Buda-area employees of Night Hawk Frozen Foods, Inc.

Night Hawk shut down production at its Buda facility on Nov. 9 so that employees could instead assemble the estimated 2,100 meal boxes that will be available for pickup (that actually began Wednesday) at locations around Hays County.

That number represents the number of families who signed up to receive a meal box, explained Mallory Best of the food bank. Night Hawk has been a title sponsor of the food drive for the past four years. This is the third year they have provided boxing.

Food bank intern Genevieve Mc Neil donned a turkey costume to keep spirits high.

One by one, the assembly line made sure that each box contained a turkey, carrots, corn, green beans, pumpkin pie filling, stuffing, mashed potatoes and applesauce. Mallory said the boxes, each with a 12 to 14 pound turkey, should feed from four to six people.

Families who are struggling to be able to provide a Thanksgiving meal have one last chance. On Friday from noon to four, they can come by the food bank for a last chance at first-come, first-served, Best said.

Last year, more than 6,000 individuals were able to enjoy a home cooked holiday meal because of the effort.

In addition to Night Hawk, sponsors include Little Guys Movers, Lamar Advertising, Grande Communications, Wells Fargo, H-E-B, Heat Bootcamp, Buda Turkey Trot and Seton Medical Center Hays.

Donations are accepted anytime. If you with to help out, do so online at Hays Food Bank's website or mail a check to 220 Herndon Street, San Marcos, TX, 78666.