Philanthropic entrepreneur aims to help Central Texas families in 11 school districts

In 1992, Tom Ramsey was bankrupt and struggling to pay rent and feed his family in San Jos, Calif., despite having a job.

The kindness of his landlord and a friend allowed him and his family to have a place to live, but he said it was hard for him to overcome depression because of financial hardship. One Sunday afternoon he volunteered for 45 minutes at Cathedral of Faith Church in San Jos for a program called Celebration of Love, which gave food to needy families, Ramsey said.

"That 45 minutes really just made a huge impact on my life," he said.

Seeing the positive effect of the program, Ramsey wanted to get involved in philanthropy. Since moving to Texas in 1999, he has started several ventures to help others. In 2003, Ramsey started his own Celebration of Love program to provide meals and more to families during the Christmas season. The first year the program launched, it fed about 500 families, and in 2012, the program fed about 5,400 families. Each year, a division of Celebration of Love—Circle of Love—distributes toys, holiday meals and more to families in 11 school districts, including Georgetown ISD.

"We're everyday people, and we want to give back [to the community] as much as we can," he said.

In 2006, Ramsey decided to open a food pantry in Pflugerville that is open to anyone called the Reaching Out Center, which feeds about 200 families per week, he said. About 99 percent of each dollar donated to Celebration of Love goes toward food and supplies for the Reaching Out Center and to Celebration of Love programs, Ramsey said.

"When you give to this organization, it really truly gets right back into the hands of the needy families," he said.

Ramsey said he has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and has owned several businesses, including a nightclub, restaurants, a flea market and a limousine service. In 2011, Ramsey was named Small Business Person of the Year by the Small Business Administration's San Antonio District Office.

"I'm always exploring, always willing to take risks," he said.

Ramsey launched Snappy Snacks Mobile Catering in 1999. Snappy Snacks works with startup food trailer entrepreneurs and offers them services such as trailers for lease, parking, cleaning facilities, kitchen space for food preparation and cleaning stations. Food is offered to entrepreneurs at wholesale prices through the on-site market, which is also open to the public. Ramsey said all food trailer entrepreneurs have their own employees and operate independently from Snappy Snacks.

"Snappy Snacks is a commissary for entrepreneurs to get started in their dreams, their passions, about becoming a mobile caterer," he said. "We've launched a lot of very successful food trucks in the scene here in Austin, more notably the Peached Tortilla and Chi'Lantro [BBQ]."

As the holiday season approaches, Ramsey said volunteers and donations are greatly needed. He encourages everyone to volunteer and see the difference it makes in needy families' lives.

"It's a huge blessing on your life," he said. "It'll change you when you see the families in need. It really, truly will."

Tom Ramsey's ventures of love

Celebration of Love encompasses several programs to help families in crisis in Central Texas, including:

Circle of Love

During the first two weeks of December each year, the nonprofit organization partners with Toys for Tots, Sam's Club and others to donate food, toys and more to families in need. This year, families may pick up items at schools in 11 school districts.

Reaching Out Center

The food pantry is open every Friday from 2–4 p.m. and is located at 15630 Vision Drive in Pflugerville. The food pantry does not have restrictions on who can receive food.

Soldiers of America

The organization offers employment opportunities for military veterans. The program is currently seeking funding.

Volunteer opportunities

Ramsey's programs are in need of volunteers for various projects. Some of the volunteer opportunities include:

• Helping to package holiday meals and toys for families
• Preparing and organizing food for the Reaching Out Center food pantry
• Donating gift cards from Sam's Club or Walmart for bicycles and toys for children of veterans; about 300 bicycles are planned to be dispersed Dec. 6 at the Soldier Readiness Processing Installation Center in Fort Hood
• Helping assemble the bicycles before they are dispersed
• Signing up to have your company participate in Toys for Tots donations
• Nominating veterans who are in need of a vehicle
• Making a monetary donation on the organization's website by visiting www.celebrationoflove.org