In addition to reaching those in need through more than 355 Partner Agencies -- food pantries, soup kitchens, and other non-profits providing emergency food assistance -- the Food Bank also provides several outreach programs to connect families, children and seniors with the food and information they need.  These programs include:


BackPack Program  (2007-08 School Year)

The BackPack Program provides children in need with reusable backpacks filled with a weekend supply of nutritious and easy-to-prepare food. During the 2007-2008 school year, the Food Bank oversaw the BackPack Program at Oaksprings Elementary School, providing all 336 students enough food for six meals and two snacks.

Thank You, BackPack Program Sponsors.

Charles H. Phipps Family Foundation
Margaret Mann Wilson Fund
National Instruments
Reeves and Brightwell, LLP
Stanford Group Company
Tim Allen
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. & Feeding America

Central Texas Food Rescue


Quality fruits, vegetables, and meat are essential to a balanced diet, but they are also expensive and difficult for food assistance programs to acquire. Through the Central Texas Food Rescue program, obtains a variety of donated products including canned goods, dairy products, frozen foods, meat, bakery items and produce through established relationships with local retailers.

Thank You, Central Texas Food Rescue Sponsors.

Anonymous
Rachael and Ben Vaughan Foundation

CHOICES – A Nutrition Education Program


CHOICES is funded in part by the USDA's SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) to help individuals and families make smart choices at mealtime. All classes are free and open to qualified individuals. In 2008, 1,604 individuals completed CHOICES classes. 

SNAP (Food Stamp) Outreach Program

SNAP is a key way to address the nutritional needs of low-income Texas families. However, many barriers to participation remain. The Food Bank removes some of those barriers with its outreach and application assistance program. In 2008, 455 people were successfully enrolled in SNAP.

FFFF (Fresh Food for Families)

Thirteen distribution sites across Central Texas provide families with quality fruits and vegetables. Fresh Food For Families provide an average of more than 7,171 pounds of produce to more than 262 families each month. In 2008, CAFB distributed 1.1 million pounds of food through FFFF.

Thank You, FFFF Sponsors.

Beaumont Foundation of America
Church World Service’s CROP Hunger Walk
Donald D. Hammill Foundation
Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Inc.
New Belgium Brewing Company
The Pampered Chef

HOPE (Healthy Options Program for the Elderly)

The 17 HOPE sites provide senior citizens living on a fixed income with supplemental staple groceries on a monthly basis. Partner Agencies already working with senior citizens aged 60 and older help the Food Bank serve nearly 2,200 seniors an average of 18 pounds of groceries each month. In 2008, HOPE distributed 154,788 pounds of nutritious food.

Thank You, HOPE Sponsors.

Finn Family Foundation
St. David's Community Health Foundation
Isla Carroll Turner Friendship Trust
Roy F. & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation
Topfer Family Foundation
Church World Service’s CROP Hunger Walk
Donald D. Hammill Foundation
Marc and Carolyn Seriff

Kids Cafe

The 31 Kids Cafe sites in Central Texas serve more than 23,000 meals per month to nearly 3,300 children in need. This after-school program provides a safe, nurturing place where neighborhood children receive a hot, nutritious dinner, as well as help with homework from caring individuals. During the 2007 - 2008 program year, 281,112 meals were served at Kids Cafe sites.

Thank You, Kids Cafe Program Sponsors.

Advanced Micro Devices
Austin Empty Bowl Project
BMC Software
Carino's Foundation
Dell Foundation
Topfer Family Foundation
A Glimmer of Hope Foundation
H-E-B Grocery Company
Randalls
3M
University Area Rotary Club
Grande Communications
Freescale Semiconductor
Veritas Foundation
Scott and Sari Garfinkle
Malaga, L.P.
Carolyn Rice Bartlett Foundation
Town Lake Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
Ken and Blair Jacob
JPMorgan Chase Foundation
Dorothy and Jim Kronzer Foundation
Mills Dennis Family Foundation
Rachael and Ben Vaughan Foundation

Partner Agency Education Program

The Partner Agency Education Program was launched in late 2006 to strengthen Partner Agency capacity, ensure improved access to food for underserved populations and areas, and ultimately advance the Food Bank's mission to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. After thorough assessment of agencies' capabilities to increase efficiency and improve overall effectiveness, CAFB implemented a new education program called the Agency Enrichment Academy, which provide training to increase Partner Agencies’ capacity to do more. In 2008, the program was nationally recognized for its innovation in outreach by Feeding America.

Thank You, Partner Agency Education Program Sponsors.

Austin Community Foundation
RGK Foundation

Wheels of Sharing Mobile Food Pantry

For many individuals facing food insecurity, transportation is an obstacle. The Wheels of Sharing Mobile Food Pantry was created to help bridge that gap by delivering food and assistance to communities in Central Texas with limited access to social services.

Thank You, Wheels of Sharing Mobile Food Pantry Sponsors.

Garber Family Foundation
H-E-B
Vinson & Elkins, LLP
3M Foundation, Inc.
James and Eleanor Baudin
Susan Baughman
Brian and Maureen Benschoter
Matt and Lisa Dow
Ken and Blair Jacob
Eric and Nancy Klasson
Laura Estes and Joyce Lauck
Hon. Laura Livingston
Michael Mercieca
Glen Nickerson and Betty Otter-Nickerson
Hank and Mary Perret
Ed and Lorraine Scharlau
Marc and Carolyn Seriff
Steven and Ann Taylor
Cathy Thompson
Michael and Elizabeth Tomsu