Last summer, Hays County Food Bank experienced a pantry shortage.

While the shortage spurred a massive local response in 2018, this year the food bank is asking community members to participate in the Annual Spring Harvest Healthy Food Drive Challenge to prevent the bank’s shelves from getting low as the weather heats up.

“Empty shelves are a nightmare,” the HCFB said in a written statement. “Last summer, Hays County Food Bank witnessed a pantry shortage that led to a massive community response. When shelves ran low or empty, the community nearly tripled what they usually give in just one month. While the community food drives were a big help last July, the food bank would like to prevent the shelves from getting dangerously low again this year.”

Friends, families, clubs, congregations, coworkers and anyone else can form a team and register to compete in the challenge. From there, the HCFB encourages teams to share the food drive on social media to broaden the reach of the efforts.

At the end of the drive, food should be delivered to 220 Herndon St. in San Marcos. The winners, which will be determined by which team donates the most pounds of food, will win the traveling trophy for one year.

HCFB distributes an average of 2,500-3,000 pounds of “shelf-stable” foods like soups, peanut butter, rice, beans, tuna and pasta each week, according to food bank officials. Additionally, the food bank distributes 6,000 pounds of fresh produce through partner agencies each week.

“In 2018, community members donated nearly 200,000 pounds of food to help feed those less fortunate,” HCFB’s statement reads, “The food bank would love to see that number grow so that even more people can be helped.”

Anyone with questions about the Annual Spring Harvest Healthy Food Drive Challenge can call Hays County Food Bank’s Development and Special Events Coordinator Whitney Lewis at 512-392-8300, extension 230.