Central Texas Food Bank Remains Open under the Stay Home-Work Safe Order

Austin, TX – Austin residents face enormous uncertainty because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Central Texas Food Bank remains open and ready to assist with food access needs. Under Austin’s Stay Home-Work Safe Order issued on Tuesday, food banks are considered essential and remain operational.

"As the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic has grown, we've seen a significant increase in the number of Central Texans turning to us for food assistance," said Derrick Chubbs, president and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank. "With the new Stay Home-Work Safe Order, we want to make sure that our neighbors in need know that it is still allowed for them to leave their homes and come to any of our distribution centers for food. The Food Bank and our distribution partners are considered essential businesses and will continue to help those in need."

Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza added her support. “We have received many questions about the recent orders, but one concern that has really risen to the top was from our partners at the Central Texas Food Bank—they told us that participation in their distribution efforts saw a drastic decline today.”

Garza, who represents a lower-income, majority-Latino district with many food-insecure families wants to make sure residents know that they can and should still reach out to the Central Texas Food Bank. “That is absolutely still allowed under the latest order. People are also still allowed to volunteer at the food bank or other food distribution places as long as social distancing is occurring.”

Residents needing assistance can visit the Central Texas Food Bank’s website, https://www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/, to find an interactive map of food distribution locations—just click “Find Food Now”— or call 2-1-1 to be connected with services. Volunteers can sign up at the same website.

The City’s COVID-19 website is updated regularly with information and resources: http://www.austintexas.gov/COVID19.

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Contact:
Paul Gaither, Marketing and Communications Director
Central Texas Food Bank
512-684-2528 or 512-550-9030
pgaither@centraltexasfoodbank.org

Cynthia Van Maanen, Policy Advisor
Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza
202-440-4928
Cynthia.VanMaanen@austintexas.gov