Struggling community members in the Leander and Cedar Park area may soon have access to a centralized location for resources and support.
Hill Country Community Ministries—a local nonprofit offering a food pantry and thrift store— is planning to open a nonprofit mall offering services from several organizations by the end of 2025.
“Everybody knows we need this, and [having the] opportunity to make this happen would be a huge gift to our community,” HCCM executive director Tiesa Hollaway said.
What’s happening
HCCM submitted a letter of intent to purchase a 30,000-square-foot building behind Red Horn Brewery & Roastery near The Crossover sports complex in early December.
The new space would allow HCCM to expand distribution for its food pantry and partner with nonprofits to provide greater community support, including medical care, mental health and financial services, as well as assistance for veterans, children and seniors, Hollaway said. HCCM’s case managers will be able to help residents complete applications for jobs, disability, and social security or SNAP food benefits.
The nonprofit mall may serve as a satellite location for the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center, a center in Georgetown that responds to child abuse and neglect cases. Hollaway said she has spoken with several nonprofits that are interested in joining the facility, including medical clinics.
With $5 million in funding to put toward the project, HCCM will need to raise an additional $3-$4 million in the next 90 days to secure the $8.1 million property, Hollaway said.
The background
Since 1985, HCCM has served residents in western Williamson County and northwest Travis County through a food pantry located in a 3,000-square-foot portable building off Lacy Drive in Leander.
Families may receive up to three weeks worth of groceries at the food pantry. Additionally, a community cupboard allows residents to receive daily food items donated by local retailers and restaurants.
Along with its 11 mobile distribution sites, the organization served over 136,000 people across more than 100 zip codes in 2023.
“We have completely outgrown that facility with the demands to help these families,” Hollaway said about HCCM’s current food pantry.
Why it matters
Those visiting HCCM often need more than just food, but with some families on their last tank of gas, access to additional resources may be out of reach, she said.
Hollaway, who moved to the area 25 years ago as a single mom struggling financially, said she understands how hard it is to ask for help. It’s an experience she hopes HCCM’s new nonprofit mall could change.
“When you not only have to ask for help once but... tell your story over and over, it's very humbling and it's difficult,” Hollaway said. “This would allow people a little more dignity [and to] feel better, because they can get most of the things that they need in one spot.”
Also of note
After moving into its new space, HCCM is considering converting its current food pantry into transitional housing for families in need.
The 1.5-acre property could accommodate around eight tiny homes, which the organization has recently received zoning approval for, Hollaway said.
Next steps
Hollaway provided a presentation on the nonprofit mall at a Cedar Park City Council meeting Dec. 12.
“I think this is something that could be transformative for the people on this side of the county, because like she mentioned, we are all just one health crisis, one car crash away from needing her services,” Council Member Heather Jefts said.
Hollaway said she plans to speak with the officials in the city of Leander along with Williamson County and hopes to receive financial support from the cities and counties the nonprofit mall serves.
Jefts said she did not think the city of Cedar Park should fund the project alone but expressed interest in collaborating with Williamson County and neighboring cities.
People can donate by visiting HCCM's website or contacting Hollaway directly at [email protected] or 512-259-0360, extension 204.
