Food banks and pantries across the nation saw an increase in need throughout the pandemic, according to agenda documents. Widespread job disruption was also prevalent, which disproportionately affected women, low-income communities and people of color, leading to a food insecurity.
The HCFB is located at 220 Herndon St., San Marcos, with around 2,250 square feet of space to distribute around 93,000 pounds of food each month. However, the facility is not large enough for the staff to accept large donations.
The food bank staff hope to build a new, 30,000-square-foot facility on Reimer Avenue in San Marcos with the $1 million grant. The 4 acres of land the proposed facility is on is adjacent to The Village, which offers other social services to Hays County residents.
While Judge Ruben Becerra had some concerns regarding the location, HCFB Executive Director Eleanor Owen said the location next to The Village is strong as it could lead to wraparound services in one area.
“When we help an individual, usually food insecurity is not the only thing they are confronting,” Owen said. “We do realize that it is a very southern point of Hays County, ... but we will continue to have our mobile distributions.”
The proposed facility would have an increased storage space to grow into, have improved access for large delivery vehicles, lend in serving more households and more.
However, it remains unclear if or when construction for the new facility would begin.
