Thank you to everyone who participated in the 20th annual “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive. As part of the nation’s largest single-day food drive, generous Central Texans and U.S. letter carriers delivered hunger relief by providing more than 105,000 pounds of food this past Saturday.

Letter carriers and volunteers were also on hand at H-E-B stores in Austin to receive donations.

Our volunteers are busy inspecting and sorting donations so we can get them out as quickly as possible to our Partner Agencies.  There’s still time to help! Sign up online for a volunteer shift.

Summer is a special time at H-E-B because your dollar can do much more than simply purchase grocery items.  Your dollar can take on special powers – to uplift families, make the summer joyful for children, and give hope to older adults in times of need.

Look for the $1, $3, and $5 tear off coupons at the register to transform your regular ol’ dollar into a hunger-fighting dollar.  Simply choose the amount you want to donate, and it will be added to your final grocery bill.

Donations at Austin-area stores will help nourish hungry Central Texans in your community and every dollar really adds up. Last year $88,000 was raised.

A special thank you goes to our long-time partner, H-E-B for their sustained commitment and partnership in the fight against hunger.

It may not feel like summer is almost over, but these special offers from our friends at Kraft an Macy’s may help you get ready for a new season of activities.

Kraft “Huddle to Fight Hunger”
at H-E-B
August 17 – October 11

Look for Kraft Food meal deals to make your football watching parties delicious and affordable. With every Kraft meal deal purchased at H-E-B between 8/17- 8/30 and 9/28 – 10/11, Kraft Foods will donate two meals to the Food Bank.

Macy’s “Shop for a Cause”
Saturday, August 27
Macy’s at Barton Creek Mall

Stop by Barton Creek Macy’s to purchase your $5 “Shop for a Cause” pass chock full of in-store savings where you can get up to 25% off any single purchase. The discount applies to both in store and online purchases made on August 27.

Each year, H-E-B mobilizes their customers to “help end hunger” by placing $1, $3, and $5 tear off coupons at the register which can be added to their final grocery bill. This year, the campaign raised $88,000 — $8,000 more than last year!

No matter what amount you donated, it all adds up for the hungry Central Texans who struggle to put food on the table for children when they’re home from school. Thank you so much for coming together to offer hope during these troubling times felt by so many of our neighbors. A special thank-you goes to our long-time partner, H-E-B, and the volunteers who helped to make this campaign a success.

Now through June 28, help end hunger at your local H-E-B store by adding $1, $3 or $5 donation to your final grocery bill. Tear-off coupons are available at every register. Funds collected will benefit food banks serving the community where the funds are raised. Funds from Austin-area H-E-B stores will benefit the Capital Area Food Bank.

Last year’s campaign raised $80,000 to help nourish hungry Central Texans.  Let’s do it again!

Shop

Visit your friendly neighborhood H-E-B and tear-off tags in the amounts of $1, $3 and $5 located at the checkout stand, add the desired donation amount to your final grocery bill and help feed our neighbors in need.

Share

Take a photo of you donating at your local H-E-B and we’ll upload to our Flickr album.

Link to our “Help End Hunger” campaign website on your Facebook page, website or blog.

Follow CAFB on Twitter at  @Events4Good and don’t forget to use the #HelpEndHunger hashtag

Sort

Volunteers are essential to the Food Bank. Each month, volunteers contribute more than 7,000 hours to support the Food Bank’s mission! Come sort donations in our Product Recovery warehouse and get a “behind-the-scenes” look at how donations from the community get to hungry Central Texans.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3Q88032YN4]

It’s that time of the year again – time to join the biggest youth-led food and fund drive in Central Texas.  Each year we like to mix it up and encourage more people to participate.  Last year, Tyson Foods challenged you to comment on their blog , which triggered a 100-pound food donation.

This year, along with Austin’s competing television networks, radio stations, print publications, grocery stores and other community  partners, we’re teaming up with the Boy Scouts of Central Texas to reach our goal of one million meals.  We can achieve our goal with fun activities for you online and in your Central Texas community. Here’s how you can get involved:

1. Join a team. Search online to find your team or start a new team and get registered.

2. Register your team for MLK Day. When you register online, you’ll receive your monthly e-newsletter and a free Resource Kit to help promote your event.

3. Enter the CAFB Souper Bowl of Caring Blog Contest.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5PaRCFsvp8]

Show off your creative talent by sending us a blog post with a photo gallery or video about your work with Souper Bowl of Caring.  Winning entries will be featured on our blog at blog.austinfoodbank.org and on our Facebook page.

You’ll also get a limited edition Hunger is UNacceptable t-shirt and water bottle, as well as a special guided tour of the Food Bank for you and your friends.  This is a great opportunity for youth to build their resume, for college applications, and to demonstrate leadership in your community. Click here to enter.

Contest Rules

• It must be about Souper Bowl of Caring.
• It must mention our goal of raising 1 million meals.
• It must include the words “Hunger is unacceptable.”
• Videos must be no longer than 3 minutes.

4. Donate online. Take a virtual shopping trip by putting food items into your online shopping cart. Then click “Donate” to donate the cost of those items to the Food Bank. It’s a fun way to help end hunger!

5. Support the “Scouting for Food” Food Drive

The Capitol Area Council Boy Scouts will be conducting a Food and Fund Drive in many areas throughout Central Texas. Scouts will leave door hangers on your door the week of January 22 – 29 and return to pick up non-perishable food items the following Saturday.  Your donation will support a Capital Area Food Bank Partner Agency in your community.

On February 5, you’re invited to join us for the 101st anniversary celebration of the Scouting movement at the 62nd annual Boy Scout Parade and Report to the State of Texas in conjunction with the Souper Bowl of Caring. Watch the Boy Scouts State Parade on Congress Avenue where the scouts will collect healthy, non-perishable food donations for our Central Texas neighbors in need.

6. Donate at your local Randalls, H-E-B and Central Market’s

While you’re shopping for snacks for game day, consider sharing a meal with those in need. Purchase pre-packaged bags of most-needed items or look for tear-off coupons in the amounts of $1, $3 and $5 at checkout stands in area Randalls, H-E-B and Central Market grocery stores.  Your purchase of a pre-packaged bag at either retailer provides two meals for a family of four.

7. Participate in Souper Bowl of Caring and save on Harlem Globetrotters tickets

The Harlem Globetrotters “4 Times the Fun” World Tour is coming to Austin on Friday, January 28.  When you support Souper Bowl of Caring you’ll save $7 on tickets. Learn more.

Thank you, Partners:

HEB, Central Market, Randalls, FOX 7, News 8, KEYE TV, KVUE-TV, TeleFutura, Telemundo, Univision, The CW, My Austin TV, KVET, KASE 101, AM 1300 The Zone, Buena 104.3, La Jefa 107.7, Relevant Radio 970 AM, The Statesman, The Jewish Outlook, Ahora sí, Capitol Area Council Boy Scouts of America, and Harlem Globetrotters.

About half of the 591 billion pounds of food produced in America each year is wasted.  Meanwhile, more than 50 million Americans are at risk of hunger.  That might mean going to bed hungry or having to make the choice to either buy food or keep the power on.  Being food insecure is painful, physically, mentally and emotionally.

The Capital Area Food Bank confronts the disparity between hunger and food waste in our community by organizing food pickups from local H-E-Bs, Walmarts, and other grocery stores.  Central Texas Food Rescue coordinator Jessie Curran explains, “Food Banks were founded on the model of matching excess food with hunger relief charities.  Most people understand that the problem of hunger in the US is not due to a shortage of food, but rather people in need not having access to it.  CAFB’s mission in running a Food Rescue program is to provide businesses with a way to reduce waste by donating unsalable, but edible food to the Food Bank.  This is a win-win for everyone; stores reduce their waste costs and increase their employee morale, and much needed food is distributed to people who need it.”

Bryan Bickham of Springfield Farm with CAFB Central Texas Food Rescue Coordinator, Jessie Curran

The program’s newest initiative, Market Harvest, picks up the unsold produce from farmers markets. Although farmers are vigilant about composting their unsold product, they are eager to participate in a program that connects their food to those in need.  The project is being piloted at the Sustainable Food Center’s farmers market at the Triangle on Wednesday evenings.  Participating farmers fill boxes with leftover kale, arugula, peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, persimmons, and more which is then transported to a Food Bank Partner Agency (specifically soup kitchens) to be prepared the following morning.

SFC Farmers' Market

VISTA volunteer Catherine McKinney who builds capacity for CAFB programs Healthy Options for the Elderly (HOPE) and Kids Cafe comments, “People are always asking for fresh produce. In particular, our older adult clients are thrilled when they have the chance to cook fresh produce.”

According to a 2009 study by the Center for Disease Control, only 17 percent of low-income Texans consumed the recommended daily minimum of five or more servings of fruits and vegetables. This consumption is lower than any other income bracket. No wonder that data also shows a higher prevalence of chronic disease such as diabetes and poorer overall health in low-income Texans compared to those in higher income brackets.

Market Harvest participant Bryan Bickham and owner of Springfield Farm says, “We are so happy to give to people who care about people.  The last thing we like to see is food going to waste.”

The Capital Area Food Bank sincerely thanks the Sustainable Food Center and the following local farmers for their partnership in helping nourish our neighbors in need:

Engel Farms

Harvest Time Farm Stand

Lightsey Farms

Milagro Farms

Ottmer’s Family Farm

Springfield Farm

Johnson’s Backyard Garden

Hillside Farms

If you are interested in being a Market Harvest volunteer please email Volunteer Resources Coordinator, Amelia Long, at amelialong@austinfoodbank.org or call 512-684-2551. Click here to view a description of this volunteer position.

While $5 donation provides $25 worth of food, we also greatly appreciate healthy, non-perishable food donations.  Provide food from your pantry or shopping trip to the tables of a local family in need for the holidays.

1. H-E-B Holiday Food Drive
Now through November 23

Look for the white collection boxes at Austin-area H-E-B stores to donate non-perishable food items.  At select stores, you can purchase and donate a pre-packaged bag of food for $5.50.  Your donation will have double the impact; H-E-B will match the monetary value of your donation and present a check to the Food Bank at the annual Feast of Sharing dinner.

2. CANstruction
November 13 through 21 at Barton Creek Mall
Competing teams led by local architects, engineers and builders showcase their talents by designing and building giant sculptures made entirely of canned foods.  At the end of CANstruction, all of the food is donated to the Food Bank.  Look for donation barrels throughout the mall.  You can also donate funds to vote for your favorite structure!

3. Join Randalls – donate a frozen turkey
Now through the holiday season.

On November 16, Randalls is delivering 1,000 frozen turkeys to the Food Bank. Join them by bringing a frozen turkey to the Food Bank this holiday season and we’ll deliver it to a family in need. For safety, turkeys MUST be frozen the entire time. We cannot accept partially frozen or fresh turkeys. When you link your Randalls Remarkable Card with the Food Bank’s account number (#212), one percent of your purchase is donated to us.  It’s like giving twice!

4. Greater Texas Federal Credit Union “Give Hope” Food Drive
November 22 through December 13

KGSR and Greater Texas Federal Credit Union (GTFCU) join together to “Give Hope” to central Texas families in need.  Look for donation boxes at Austin-area Greater Texas Federal Credit Union locations. Come out December 11^th to the GTFCU on Lamar and donate for a chance at fun and prizes from KGSR.

5. Host Your Own Food & Fund Drive

Register online to start a Food & Fund Drive in your community.  We make it easy with a coordinator’s kit chock-full of helpful tips to make your event a success. For as little as $10 you can provide a traditional, home cooked, holiday meal for one of our neighbors in need. Think you can raise more than 500 pounds of food?  We’ll arrange to pick up your donation.

6. Sun Harvest Help Us Bag Hunger Food Drive
Now through November 30

Look for pre-packaged bags of food near the checkout counter.  What an easy way to donate!

7. Drop off your donation anytime.

You can drop off non-perishable food donations at the Food Bank anytime.  Look for the secure drop box at the entrance or speak with a Food Bank representative during business hours 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. We’re closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, November 25 – 26.

8. Walmart Fighting Hunger Together Food Drive
Now through November 22

Look for the white donation boxes at select Austin-area Walmart stores.

9. Wildflower Center Holiday Luminations
Saturday and Sunday, December 11 and 12, 6 to 9 p.m.

Enjoy gardens lighted with more than 3,000 luminarias and 5,000 twinkle lights, listen to music of the season, create snowflakes, wreaths and ornaments in the Visitors Gallery, or stop by the café to order festive holiday items. Admission is free with two canned food items for the Capital Area Food Bank. For more information, please visit: http://www.wildflower.org/luminations/

10. 6th annual InStep Food Drive
Now through November 24

Stop by InStep for that perfect pair of shoes.  They offer a wide variety of women’s and men’s, fashion, comfort, everyday, orthopedic, orthotic friendly shoes and sandals for your soles.  Your soul will feel good knowing you helped nourish hungry central Texans when you receive 10 percent off your purchase with the donation of two non-perishable food items. Visit http://www.instepaustin.com

Today, at our annual “Hunger Heroes” appreciation luncheon at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Austin, we celebrated with special guests our accomplishments in providing an unprecedented 17.2 million meals to nearly 300,000 hungry Central Texans. It was also an opportunity to honor  Mr. Eddie Garcia of H-E-B for his inspirational leadership of H-E-B programs in support of our mission and his dedication to ending hunger. Eddie was responsible for important public affairs and community programs including:

• Establishing the H-E-B Food Bank assistance program which supports 17 Texas food banks.  Thanks to this program, more than 2 million pounds of product was donated to CAFB this past year.
• Developing H-E-B’s “Help End Hunger” annual store campaign which raised more than $75,000 this past year for the Food Bank.
• Creating and developing the “Feast of Sharing” free community dinners in December and November.
• Leading efforts to establish the first food bank in Mexico.

Left to right: Dana Shelton (CAFB), Eddie Garcia (H-E-B), David Davenport (CAFB)

In spite of retirement, Eddie’s relationship with us and the Food Banking community continues in his current role as the H-E-B Food Bank Assistance Program consultant.

Eddie, and our Hunger Heroes, are shining examples of how one person can change many lives. Thank you, Central Texans! View photos of our Hunger Heroes.

Top row: Michelle Walker-Moak (Applied Materials) and Amanda Webster (National Instruments). Bottom row: Karin Dicks (AMD) and Kristi Fontenot (AMD).

To see how your support made a difference this past year, please view our annual report published today.

EXTENDED: Emergency food packages are available at the Food Bank for evacuees staying in Central Texas. You can pick them up NOON - 5 p.m. NOW THROUGH SATURDAY, SEPT. 20.

After Saturday, evacuees can receive emergency food packages from CAFB Partner Agencies throughout Central Texas. We are working closely with our Partner Agencies to make sure they are stocked to meet the demand. View our referral list here. (pdf)

MOST NEEDED: Canned meats with pop-top lids, diapers (adult and baby), granola bars, peanut butter, personal care items including shampoo, toothbrushes, soap and feminine hygiene products.

**We no longer need bottled water or pet food.**

Tyson Foods - You might remember Tyson Food’s generous donation earlier this month. In response to disaster relief they have also donated truck loads of emergency food to affected Texas Food Banks including an additional truck to us. Thank you, Tyson Foods!

Save-A-Lot – Based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Save-A-Lot is an extreme value grocery store with several stores in Houston.

Save-A-Lot driver

They wanted to assist the local area evacuees and researched online, came across our blog and contacted us.

They donated almost 20,000 pounds of emergency items, including items we needed that weren’t on the list. Thank you, Save-A-Lot!

H-E-B – On Wed., Sept. 17, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., the H-E-B on Parmer Lane and IH35 collected food and financial donations from the community for Hurricane Ike disaster relief.

With your help, we raised approximately 138,000 pounds of food and supplies and $65,000 in financial contributions.

David Davenport (left) and Mr. Everything (right)

In addition to the donations, we met David Zurovetz, a resident of Austin for 39 years who supports the community with enthusiasm and flare. He’s a friend of the Bucky & Bob show on 98.1KVET and is known to them as “Everything.”