The center started out as a food pantry and has expanded to offer community gardens, clothing and furniture vouchers, a charity resale store, financial assistance, temporary lodging, transportation, and a home delivery program through a partnership with Amazon.
“We've continued to grow tremendously, adding programs to meet community needs,” Executive Director Lori Scott said. “Today the food pantry continues to be the heart of our mission.”
The center experienced a significant increase in individuals utilizing its services during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued to see increasing community needs.
“In 2020, our caseload that year jumped by 102%,” Scott said. “The world shut down, and people were in jeopardy of not being able to pay their rent or their mortgage or utility bills. Fortunately, there were many grants available that enabled us to help. The next year, our caseload increased by 33%. We're halfway through this year and we're running 26% ahead of this time last year. Low-income working families are really struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table. That's the greatest need that we serve.”
Scott said there are often misconceptions around food insecurity, and it can impact anyone.
“I think there's a myth about who is getting food from a food pantry,” Scott said. “It could be your neighbor who lives on the same street as you. You just never know. We continue to see the need.”
The center has six full-time, paid employees, but the organization is primarily volunteer-based.
“We'll have 25 to 40 volunteers in our building any given day just to open the doors,” Scott said.
The Round Rock Area Serving Center is seeking more volunteers to help meet this increased need. Volunteers can get involved through a variety of different roles, such as social work interviewers, client receptionist, phone receptionist, computer refurbishing, cashiers, merchandise pricing, donation receiving, clothing sorters, truck drivers and food pantry volunteers.
The center is a great place for school, corporate or church groups to volunteer together and make a positive impact on the community.
“We have some volunteers who work 40 hours a week, and we have volunteers who work two hours a month,” Scott said. “They're here because they have a passion for the mission and a passion for helping people.”
New volunteer orientation is offered on the first and third Tuesday of every month at 4 p.m., and on the second and fourth Saturday of every month at 1:30 p.m. No reservation is necessary. To apply to volunteer, go here. Interested individuals can call 512-244-2431 for more information.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Round Rock Serving Center, visit the organization’s website.
The above story was produced by Multi-platform Journalist Mary Katherine Shapiro with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
