The Central Texas Food Bank feeds more than half a million people in and around the Austin area. To say its a crucial part of the community would be an understatement, which makes the volunteers who help out, a critical part of the equation.
Volunteers like Gregg Parsons are the heart and soul of the Central Texas Food Bank.
“I like all the activity. It’s fast paced. It’s fun. The music’s playing. It’s just a good time,” he said.
Parsons is a regular. As for Nancy Reynolds, “It’s my first time volunteering it’s amazing,” she said.
“Throughout 21 counties, we serve about 530,000 food insecure individuals,” Central Texas Food Bank CEO Sari Vatske said. “So hunger is you and I skipped breakfast, we’re hungry by lunch. But food insecurity is not knowing where your next meal is coming from.”
Vatske says the organization relies on the support of about 1,000 volunteers each week. The total volunteer hours in 2024 was the equivalent of 64 full-time employees.
“I’m cutting these small bags to fill the produce in,” Reynolds said.
“We’re just continuing to fill these baskets and supply them to them to each of tables of inspectors,” added Parsons.
Inspectors need to make sure there’s not a bad apple in the bunch. The good apples are then placed into bags and sent down the conveyor belt.
January and February are the months where volunteer sign-ups tend to drop off. There’s a lull after the holidays, but the reality is, hunger is a 365 day issue, and one Vatske is familiar with.
“When I was ten, my family moved from New York to South Florida because we couldn’t afford to live in New York anymore. And there was a time where we rolled quarters for groceries. We had our lights turned off. And so I know what it feels like to feel like a burden to a family,” she said.
That childhood experience drives her desire to help more families. Volunteers are needed six days a week.
Aside from packaging, getting the food to Central Texans in need is equally as important..
“They can volunteer at our mobile pantries, help putting food in people’s cars. They can work in the kitchen making meals. They can volunteer in our garden. There really is something for everyone,” Vatske said.
If you don’t have time to volunteer, you can also make a donation. For every dollar donated, the Central Texas Food Bank can provide three meals, so the dollar stretches farther.
At this point, the Central Texas Food Bank spends $1.2 million per month to purchase food to make up for the donation shortfall.
Vatske says food costs more, there are more people to buy it for and the food bank is receiving less federal assistance.
Volunteering is as easy as clicking here. All you need to do is click “volunteer.”