People often confuse a food bank and a food pantry, most likely as a result of the organizations’ similar goal to fight hunger. However, both are very different in their day-to-day operations. The easiest way to remember the difference is to think of an ATM and a bank.

ATM = Food Pantry

The main purpose of an ATM is to distribute money. You can also do some other relatively basic things like deposit money, check your balance, etc. Just like this, a food pantry’s main purpose is to distribute food directly to people who need it. Sometimes they also offer small services like help filling out SNAP applications, employment advice, etc., but giving out food is their primary goal.

Bank = Food Bank

A bank handles many more things than an ATM. Its main purpose is to serve the community by offering a wide variety of services, as well as supplying ATMs with their money. Some banks even have ATMs attached. Similarly, a food bank’s charge is to provide hunger relief services to the community through many ways. Food banks will often provide nutrition education classes to help families shop smarter, advocate for strong hunger-relief legislation, and also help supply food pantries with volunteers, food and other goods. And just like some financial banks have ATMs attached, some food banks also have pantries attached.

Even if you can’t remember the difference, you can always donate your time and food to both food pantries and food banks. Both are always in need and together, we can all work to fight hunger in Central Texas!

Do you have a question you’d like us to answer through the blog? Send an email to Lisa Goddard, online marketing director at lgoddard@austinfoodbank.org.

Paige DeLeon, Sr. Director of Volunteer Resources, and nurse

The Food Bank cares about the well-being of everyone we serve, including our staff. This morning, and as part of American Diabetes Month, our Wellness Committee organized free on-site diabetes testing. 

Two nurses from El Buen Samaritano (a CAFB Partner Agency) generously donated their time and services. They encouraged participants to fast prior to their test. With a quick prick and a one-minute wait time, each person was tested and given their results. The nurses were extremely nice and helpful, providing each participating staff member with a comprehensive explanation of their test results.

“I appreciate this free service and am so thankful to work for an organization that supports our health. It [the test] was quick, and the nurse was friendly,” said Delta Garcia, Agency Relations Representative.

Quick Links from The American Diabetes Association:

Basic information about the disease

How to eat a healthy diet with diabetes

A quick test to determine if you are at risk

Want to stay connected? Join a social network for people touched by diabetes.

Food Bank staff and thirty volunteers met for our 2nd Annual Volunteer Leader and STAR Administrative Volunteer Summer Social at Opal Divine’s, Penn Field.

Volunteers and Food Bankers mixed and mingled, Opal Divine’s staff were awesome, and everyone enjoyed this time together.

We’re grateful for our 36 Lead Volunteers and 24 STAR Admin Volunteers. Last year, our Lead Volunteers contributed 3,891 volunteer hours!

Some info – A Lead Volunteer supports the Food Bank by training and leading volunteers to ensure they have a safe and enjoyable volunteer experience, and a STAR Admin Volunteer assists with administrative projects or Product Recovery food sorting, a minimum of once-a-week.

View photos from the event.
Video below highlights our Volunteer Leader Program. [5:05]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2stpxfac860&hl=en&fs=1&]

Lisa Goddard
Advocacy and Online Marketing Director

Good news!  Thanks to the support of so many across Texas, the Food Bank Bill (also known as HB 1622) passed in both the House and Senate.  However, this bill will be unfunded unless money is found in the state budget.  Your legislators are making that decision this month. We need your help in the next few days to help ensure this bill is funded. 

Our ask is simple.  Please call your Senator and Representative and tell him or her, “Please support the funding request of $20 million for the Food Bank Bill, HB 1622.”  Or you can take action online by visiting our website or clicking the Take Action button below.

How this bill helps hungry Central Texans

One in five children is overweight or obese, and Texas leads the nation with the highest rate of children at risk of hunger. These children are at increased risk of cognitive, motor, emotional and behavioral problems, and multiple health deficiencies.

While it may seem paradoxical for these two situations to exist in the same body, they are in fact, two sides of the same coin. Without the means to purchase enough nutritious food, families often choose to reduce the quality of food purchased.

The Food Bank Bill (HB 1622) would provide $20 million to help food banks distribute healthy foods to children at risk of hunger and obesity. This bill will direct free, nutritious food to needy families through Texas food banks, and their programs serving children. One hundred percent of the money provided by the bill will be used to purchase healthy, nutritious food for children with no administrative costs. With bills in the legislature addressing obesity through nutrition education and fitness programs, the Food Bank Bill provides that “third leg” support through ensuring families have access to the right foods.  Click here to read the bill.

Lisa Goddard
Advocacy and Online Marketing Director

When a Texas school district shut its doors for a couple of weeks as a precaution for the H1N1 (Swine) Flu this past week, parents whose children rely on the free and reduced price school lunches faced an additional challenge. 

How will these parents financially support unplanned child care and keep their children well nourished for two weeks?

Disasters, from hurricanes to pandemics, interrupt employment and sever access to human service programs. Pandemic flu preparation and response methods, such as stockpiling food and water, pose a significant hardship for those struggling to have the basic necessities each day.  While pandemic flu does not discriminate, low-income people are particularly vulnerable in the event of an outbreak.

In addition to creating their own disaster response plan (read ours here), Food Banks work closely with federal, state, and local officials in distributing food, communicating information about food stamp access during a disaster and helping to expedite disaster food assistance through D-SNAP. 

What is D-SNAP?
The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) provides replacement benefits for SNAP recipients during disaster. Eligibility criteria are broadened, and a streamlined application and issuance process extends benefits to households that would not ordinarily be eligible for SNAP. D-SNAP, like SNAP, is fully federally-funded and administered by states. Because federal nutrition programs are entitlements, they can respond quickly and effectively without waiting for further legislative action.   

While D-SNAP has a proven track record of effective relief after hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters, the program needs improved flexibility so it can respond appropriately during a pandemic. Government and nonprofits will also need to work collaboratively and creatively to ensure we can meet the need.  The Capital Area Food Bank has been in contact with legislative representatives to address those concerns and offer suggestions to ensure food security in the case of a pandemic flu outbreak.

 A short personal story
 I was an AmeriCorps VISTA at the Food Bank when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit the Gulf Coast.  Since then, I have also been part of the Hurricane Ike response efforts at the Food Bank, where my role included increasing access to SNAP. As humbling of an experience it is to participate in disaster response here in Austin, I could not help but think of the many poor who were forgotten and disregarded.  Our shared responsibility to nourish the hungry is even greater in moments of crisis.

Michelle Obama encourages all Americans to support one of two causes important to her this holiday season—food banks and our soldiers. We are excited that President-elect Obama and Michelle continue to support his campaign pledge to fight hunger in America and end child hunger by 2015. She says,

  ”Friend –

  This holiday season, the grassroots movement you helped build can make a big difference for those in need.

  I hope you will join me in supporting your favorite charity or contributing to causes that are especially meaningful to me and my family.

  While many of us will spend the holidays counting our blessings and sharing dinner with loved ones, millions of people around the country won’t be so fortunate.  Donating to your local food bank will help provide a holiday meal to people in your community who can’t afford one.

  Talking with the families of deployed troops was one of the most rewarding experiences I had during the campaign.  Giving to Operation USO Care Package is a great way to send members of our military stationed around the world a reminder that someone back home is thinking of them.

  This is a time to celebrate our blessings, the new year, and a new era for our country. But it’s also a time to come together on behalf of those who need our help.

  Do what you can to help today by locating your local food bank and giving your support:

  http://my.barackobama.com/foodbanks

  Or send a care package to an American in uniform:

  http://my.barackobama.com/carepackage

  Thank you for all that you do and have a very happy holiday season,

  Michelle”

Please take a moment and consider joining this national movement by making a donation to the Capital Area Food Bank. Your $5 donation can provide $25 worth of nutritious food. 

We appreciate and value your support – we couldn’t feed as many people as we do, with out you. For more information about CAFB, click here.

Nothing beats collaboration to help end hunger. This time, local media and business team up and encourage the community to give.

Yesterday, we kicked off the 8th Annual CBS-42 KEYE Food & Fund Drive with our friends, Chris with CBS-42 KEYE and Connie with Randalls.

We’ll be on our “tour” of Randalls stores every day of the drive (through Sunday, July 27 ) going live on air mornings, 5 p.m., and 6 p.m.

Friday morning, Fred Cantu and Liz Dannheim will broadcast their morning show live from the Randalls at Research & Braker. Come out and say hi!

Choose how you’d like to participate in this year’s drive:

• Go to any area Randalls grocery store. At the register, tear off a $1 or $5 scan coupon and hand it to the cashier. The donation will be added to your final grocery bill.
• Or buy a pre-packaged bag of the Food Bank’s most-needed items. Look for bags in the front of each Randalls.
• Or drop off non-perishable food items. Check for specially-marked barrels in each Randalls store.
• Or donate online on the Food Bank website.

BIG thanks to CBS-42 KEYE and Randalls for 8 years of enthusiasm and committment to this drive.

Liz Dannheim with CBS-42 talks to Otis Jackson, a volunteer with Bastrop County Food Pantry for a Food Drive story. Jackson said it costs $125 to fill the gas tank on their van, and that cuts into their food budget.

Yesterday’s news coverage on CBS-42 KEYE:
Food Banks Desperate for More Supplies as Need Rises

As an organization that loves to give thanks, it’s always nice to get a “thank you” in return from our community partners.

Entercom Communications, one of the largest radio broadcasting companies in the US, and home to the JB & Sandy Morning Show on Mix 94.7 and the Alex & Kim show on Majic 95.5, sent us this fun video as their way of saying “thanks for a good time”.

The feeling is mutual.

Enjoy!

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=qijKXpxle-s]

David Davenport, President & CEO – I’m six days into my Food Stamp Challenge, and I realized that I haven’t shared the basics with you.

First of all, for those not familiar with the Challenge – here are the rules I’m following:

• I can only spend $21 a week on food and beverages for 30 days.
• I will not eat food I already own.
• I will not accept food from family, friends, coworkers and others. Not even the free samples from Costco.
• I will keep track of my expenses and share my experience with you, including when I fall off the wagon.

To get started with the Challenge, I gathered all the food in my little place, boxed it and taped it shut. It’s deep in my closet, away from casual glances, and too difficult to access for late-night temptations. (Dear wife: There are no perishables in that box, so you don’t have to worry about bugs or other multi-legged guests). This was actually pretty simple for two reasons. First my family is still in Houston and will not be moving to Austin until later in the summer. And second, I have found that my personal grocery shopping process had not evolved much since college. Although the quality of the food is better, I am not a complicated shopper.

On Sunday, I spent $17.21 at the grocery store. I left a little room in the event my calculations were off. I used most of my remaining budget to buy water on the way home from Waco on Wednesday. It seemed like a bad call at the time, but I was REALLY thirsty.

So it’s Friday and I’m doing ok. What have I learned so far?

• It is almost impossible to eat a healthy diet on $21 a week. I have some medical challenges which make it absolutely necessary that I eat a low-sodium, low-carbohydrate, and somewhat balanced diet, or the medications I take will not work appropriately.
• Food stamps, as the program was designed by the government, are not supposed to be the sole source of a food budget. But for folks like me, who do have high medical prescription costs, food stamps can be, and often are, the entire food budget. I’m learning that balancing nutrition and medicine is a tough task.
• I am more aware of the power of food advertising. Although I don’t usually eat fast food or junk food, I can’t drive home from work without the enticing neon glow from fast food restaurants reminding me of their low-priced goodness. Now, I constantly crave a hamburger or a slice of pizza. I find myself observing people at the grocery store spending a great deal of money on food or people walking in and out of a restaurant. Not in a stalker, green-eyed-monster kinda way, but I’m much more aware of this activity.
• Two weeks ago, I was amazed at how little I could get at the grocery store for my typical food budget. Even with conscious shopping for this challenge, my $17.21 shopping trip yielded one bag of food; not quite half-full (or, for the pessimists out there, half-empty).

Alright, here’s my confession. I broke the rules, but for good reason. Honest.

During my recent trip to Waco on Wednesday, I had the opportunity to meet the folks at the Gospel Cafe, a small agency in Waco doing amazing work. Founder, (and passionate force of nature) Sherry Castello, opened the kitchen back in 1996 as a unique and special ministry to those in need. If you are ever in Waco, I highly recommend a visit to this special place. Everyone who walks through their door is valued. They’ll be glad to welcome you and feed your body and spirit.

Ok, so back to my confession. Sherry would not stop asking me what I wanted to eat. She was both caring and relentless at the same time. I confess, she wore me down. But accepting the meal also gave me the chance to sit and visit with some of her guests as we ate together. What a wonderful place! – THANK YOU, SHERRY, and a special thanks to your team for all your hard work on behalf of those in need.

Last night, I broke the rules again. This time, my accomplice was Alan Graham from Mobile Loaves & Fishes in Austin. Alan took me along on a truck run around town to help distribute food to our homeless neighbors. The four hours I spent with Alan in that little white truck, sharing stories, distributing food, and talking to clients was life-changing. Because this meal was more about breaking bread with Alan, and those who benefit from Mobile Loaves and Fishes, it was a special moment I felt I needed to experience. THANK YOU, ALAN. It was a special ride.

I cannot mention my friend Alan without giving equal time to one of my other new friends here in town, Dan Pruett at Meals on Wheels and More. Dan and Alan both share the unique ability to communicate their passion for making our community a better place. Today, I rode with Dan to deliver meals to a handful of their East Austin senior clients. It was very clear that we were really delivering love, respect and dignity. Meals on Wheels and More does more than deliver food. I cannot tell you how powerful and deeply personal it is to take part in delivering such a gift. THANK YOU, DAN. I won’t soon forget our visits.

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=Jh7wRlslKa4]

What a week! The kids are coming up from Houston for the weekend and I cannot wait to see them. I know these posts are long, but I can’t help but express how much I owe to all those who I’ve spent time with this week. In the end, I know it will help me become a better person, better father, and a better professional.

I will be back soon to give you another update. ‘Till then, I encourage you to give my friends Dan, Alan and Sherry a call or send them an email. Thank them for being who they are and for the incredibly important work they do to make Central Texas a special place for all.

Then sign on to volunteer. You’ll be glad you did.