Food pantries in Pflugerville and Hutto are seeing greater demand for assistance while facing tighter resources and fewer donations, organization leaders said.
Nonprofits like Circle of Hope Community Center in Pflugerville and Hutto Resource Center are working to keep up with the need by providing food and essential supplies to residents.
Current situation
Pflugerville and Hutto families are facing increased food insecurity due to rising costs of living and inflation, Tina Lee, founder and executive director of Circle of Hope Community Center, said.
“The need remains substantial while resources and donations are stretched,” Lee said.
“Sometimes families are doing their very best or doing everything right, but their incomes simply aren't keeping up with the cost of living. Food insecurity has always been an issue, but with the economy, gas prices, things like that, it's become more of an issue.”
Sandy Brockwell, executive director of Hutto Resource Center, said the nonprofit is serving more people than ever.
“We’re just trying to figure out how to keep up with the demand and make sure that we are serving everybody that needs to be served,” Brockwell said.
A closer look
Some nonprofits, such as Circle of Hope, have been struggling to stay afloat. Sustainability has been a challenge, and even food that is donated costs money to receive, store, transport and deliver, Lee said.
Due to the state of the economy, Circle of Hope has seen a decrease in donors, Lee said.
"A lot of the folks that have donated to us regularly, they've been impacted and so they've scaled back a lot,” she said.
To combat these challenges, the pantry relies on partnerships with the Central Texas Food Bank, local businesses and volunteers who assist during drive-thru and mobile distributions.
Giving back
Hutto Resource Center offers a pop-up distribution every Wednesday from 2-3:30 p.m., which features fresh and frozen food brought in through retail partners at the Central Texas Food Bank.
The organization also offers a drive-thru distribution event on the first and third Saturdays of every month from 9 a.m.-noon, which includes a variety of nonperishable items, meat, fresh produce, and hygiene and household products when available. Feminine hygiene products, diapers and other baby items are also available upon request when in stock.
Circle of Hope’s drive-thru food pantry is open Monday and Friday from 8-11 a.m. and provides bread, fresh fruit, produce, frozen meats, dairy products, and nonperishable food.
The group also partners with Central Texas Food Bank to provide a drive-thru mobile food pantry at The Pfield on the first Tuesday of each month from 9-11 a.m.
Anyone who needs food is eligible, and those interested can apply online for either organization.
Get involved
Brockwell said the Hutto Resource Center’s volunteer schedule is full, but the organization may need more help as the holiday season ramps up. Those interested in donating food items should keep an eye on the center's Facebook for needed items.
Circle of Hope is in ongoing need of volunteers ages 16 and older to help with drive-thru food distributions. Ongoing donation needs include boxed cereal, rice, oatmeal, peanut butter, jelly, canned vegetables, and spaghetti pasta and sauce. The nonprofits can receive donations on Monday and Friday from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
