Food pantries in Hutto and Pflugerville are serving more people as donations and resources tighten, leaders at two area nonprofits said. Hutto Resource Center and Circle of Hope Community Center in Pflugerville are working to provide food and essential supplies amid the greater demand.
Families in Pflugerville and Hutto are facing increased food insecurity amid rising living costs and inflation, said Tina Lee, founder and executive director of Circle of Hope. “The need remains substantial while resources and donations are stretched,” Lee said.
Food Pantries Work to Meet Demand
Lee said some families are doing their best, but their incomes are not keeping pace with living costs. She said food insecurity has long been an issue and has become more pressing with the economy and gas prices.
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.
Circle of Hope is also facing sustainability challenges, Lee said. Even donated food costs the organization money to receive, store, transport and deliver. The center has seen a decrease in donors as some regular contributors have been affected and scaled back, she said.
To support the food pantries’ distributions, Circle of Hope relies on partnerships with Central Texas Food Bank, local businesses and volunteers. Volunteers help with drive-thru and mobile food distributions.
Weekly and Monthly Food Distributions
Hutto Resource Center holds a pop-up distribution every Wednesday from 2-3:30 p.m. Retail partners at Central Texas Food Bank provide fresh and frozen food for the event.
The center also holds drive-thru distributions on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 9 a.m.-noon. The distributions include nonperishable items, meat and fresh produce, as well as hygiene and household products when available.
Feminine hygiene products, diapers and other baby items are available upon request when in stock. The center’s schedule and mix of supplies give residents more than one kind of food and household support to seek, depending on what is available.
Circle of Hope’s drive-thru pantry is open Monday and Friday from 8-11 a.m. It provides bread, fresh fruit, produce, frozen meats, dairy products and nonperishable food.
The organization also works with Central Texas Food Bank on a mobile pantry at The Pfield. That drive-thru distribution takes place on the first Tuesday of each month from 9-11 a.m.
Volunteers and Donations Support Pantry Services
Anyone who needs food is eligible, and people interested in assistance can apply online to either organization. For broader local efforts, readers can also learn about the Greenfield community grants awarded to four organizations.
Brockwell said Hutto Resource Center’s volunteer schedule is full, though the center may need more help as the holiday season ramps up. People interested in donating food should check the center’s Facebook page for current needs.
Circle of Hope continues to need volunteers ages 16 and older to help with drive-thru distributions. Its 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.
Community partnerships are also part of other local pantry work. Red X Magazine has reported on the Warrior Food Pantry’s nonprofit status and on community impact grants elsewhere.
Hutto Resource Center may need additional volunteers later in the holiday season, while Circle of Hope continues seeking volunteers ages 16 and older and specified pantry donations.
Read the source report on area food pantries for its full account of the organizations’ services and needs.