In the days after receiving the first “10% eating out” donation, we had many conversations about the thoughtfulness of this woman’s contribution. At the heart of the matter, and what stood out to us most, is the fact that she decided to continually pass her family’s good fortune on to others. This isn’t the first time we’ve been on the receiving end of this sort of gesture. More than once, with their children carefully placing canned food items on the scale in our warehouse, parents have told us about how they requested that guests bring nonperishable food items for us to their child’s birthday party instead of presents. In the end, the gift was a lesson about gratitude, graciousness and giving back – and that will last longer than any doll or video game might.

We’re in an interesting “business.” We come to work every day hoping to inspire and comfort our community’s most vulnerable residents, and we go home inspired by the amount of support we receive and the places it comes from. We’ve learned that people often want to get involved and make a difference but aren’t sure how to get started. In an age when free time can seem like a commodity, volunteering isn’t always an option for people who want to help. For others, dropping an envelope in a mailbox lacks a personal touch. We have also learned that people will find creative and unique ways to give our mission resonance in their everyday lives.

With that in mind, we drafted this short list in hopes that you – whoever you are – might be inspired too.

Little Ways to Make a Big Difference

1. For your next celebration, offer loved ones who would like to give gifts the option to make a contribution in your honor.
2. Decide to donate a portion each time you splurge. Whether it’s a percentage of your restaurant tabs, a set amount each time you make your favorite meal at home or another arrangement, it adds up very quickly for our clients. And instead of receiving a tax-deductible receipt each time you make a donation, you could request a single annual receipt to surprise yourself with how much you give each year.
3. Donate the proceeds of your next garage sale. You can clean out your closets and give a gift to your favorite cause.
4. Collect your spare change in a jar. When the jar is full, it’s time to donate!
5. Make volunteering a family affair. Schedule time for your family to volunteer together. Not only are you getting involved in the community, but you’re also teaching your children about the importance of giving back.

Do you have an idea you’d like to share? Feel free to leave it as a comment here or on our Facebook page!

The concert was beautiful and the Steel Magnolias donated over 2,000 lbs of food and more than $6,000 in donations. This was their tour “send-off” concert and we were so happy to be working with them. The food bank enjoys the partnership with the Steel Magnolias for a few years and looks forward to the future concerts.

The food bank used the donations for ongoing costs of the food bank as there are many people in Hays County who need help. We have seen an increase in demand as the holiday season nears.

Executive Director Jerry Gracy accepts a check from one of the Steel Magnolias.

The governor recognized the Steel Magnolias for their efforts in aiding the Hays County Food Bank this year. The Steel Magnolias will present Share His Love Send-Off Concert on Sunday, September 18 at the Embassy Suites in San Marcos, Texas. In addition to an on-site food drive for the Food Bank, the presentation will raise money to aid our efforts to reduce hunger in Hays County.

Governor's proclamation in recognition of the Steel Magnolias

The Hays County Food Bank graciously accepted a $6,000 donation from HEB for our Souper Bowl of Caring  campaign earlier this year. We greatly appreciate outside efforts to support our mission to fight hunger in the Hays County area.  We rely so much on outside donations and sponsorships to carry out our programs. This donation will go a long way in aiding our efforts to feed hungry people and to continue helping families put food on the table.

When companies and individuals donate, the Food Bank can do more for the people we serve. Donations increase our ability to help a family need. We are so grateful to HEB and our other sponsors, and we hope to continue these partnerships.

Gap outlet and Banana Republic outlets are teaming up with the food bank to help the community through the summer. These stores are offering a coupon with savings on purchases accompanied with two cans.

Currently, we are most in need of rice and beans (preferably in 1 lb bags, though we will gladly accept donations that are not), canned meats and tuna, canned fruits and macaroni & cheese.

Lend a Hand campaign kicks off 

Summertime and the livin’ is not always easy. About 72% of San Marcos CISD and 51% of Hays CISD students qualify for the free or reduced meal program. With their children out of school, already stressed families are dealing with the extra burdens of feeding their children on their summer break. The food bank is working hard to keep up with the demand from the community.

The campaign runs June 15 – July 31. Opportunities to get involved include but are not limited to donating, volunteering, following the food bank on Twitter/Facebook and making a donation on our website.

Read more here or donate now.

The food bank misses Pat Tessaro

The food bank said goodbye to its most enthusiastic and organized employees. Pat Tessaro left the food bank after 12 years and left a legacy behind her. Her passion for feeding hungry people in Hays County is still with the food bank, but her presence is greatly missed.

Although Pat is no longer in the office, she is still active in the community. Pat will continue to serve as the Secretary of the Village of San Marcos Board of Directors as a community member. Pat also volunteered to make presentations as a part of the Speakers Bureau for the food bank during the busy Thanksgiving season.

The San Marcos Daily Record also did a feature article on Pat Tessaro and her many accomplishments throughout the years at the food bank. We thank you Pat for your hard work and dedication. Good luck!

The Hays County Food Bank would like to thank the Food Bank of Corpus Christi for donating a 24-foot box truck for us to use during food pick-ups and distributions. We’d also like to thank H-E-B for refurbishing the truck and getting it road-ready for us.

The new truck is not yet in use, but we are looking for individuals with CDL licenses who would like to help out a few mornings per week. If you know anyone who might be interested, please put them in touch with us.

Gearing Up for the Celebrity Golf Classic

We are currently getting ready for the Celebrity Golf Classic that will be held in April. It is a three-day event that will benefit the United Way of Hays County, the Hays County Food Bank and other local partner agencies.

We are looking for volunteers who would like to help out with the silent auction, the golf tournament and other pieces of the event. If you’re interested, please get in touch with us as soon as possible.

The Boy Scouts and the H-E-B stores in San Marcos, Buda and Kyle donated a total of 30,153 pounds of food to the Hays County Food Bank.

The Souper Bowl of Caring is a national event that utilizes Super Bowl weekend to mobilize youth to fight hunger and poverty in their communities.

The group regularly donates one pound of food for every pound shed during its 17-week sessions.

Congratulations to all the participants! We celebrate your efforts and appreciate your continued support.

City of San Marcos Weight Watchers

The Day Before Christmas at the Hays County Food Bank

‘Twas the day before Christmas when all through the place,
The shelves were stocked in every small space,
Boxes of cans stacked by aisles with great care,
In hopes that the helpers soon would be there.

The team was ready for what was ahead,
While visions of chaos danced through their heads,
And the Director in his orange shirt, and the team in theirs too,
Had just taken a break at 11:42.

When out on the street there arose such a clatter,
They hurried through the pantry, to see what was the matter.

Away to the window they flew like a flash,
Knocking over boxes, which fell with a crash.

The sun on Herndon was dazzling and bright,
Casting an eerie orange glow on the vans in our sight,

When what to the team, their eyes should appear,
A big red sleigh pulled by eight prancing reindeer,
With a jolly plump driver, moving so quick
They knew in a moment, it must be St. Nick

More rapid than racers, the board members came,
The Director knew them all by first name:

Hi Kirk, and  Hi Rob, Hello to you Jane,
Hi Ted, Hi Dale, the Director exclaimed.

Come in, Come in, through the front door,
I count only five, will there be more?

And then in a twinkling there was heard from the door,
Green beans, tomatoes, fruit and much more,
Being stocked on the shelves with speed and great care
By team members and board members and volunteers everywhere.

And there was St. Nick all dressed in bright red,
Black boots, and black belt and a cap on his head,

With a whole lot of food he had thrown in his sleigh,
To take to poor kids, whose folks couldn’t pay.

Everyone’s eyes turned misty and red,
As thoughts of poor kids swam in their head.

Now Heather and Becky, Now Pat and now Kate,
Albert and Al, Susie and James,
The team was all there and not a minute too late,

They spoke not a word, and with smiles on their faces,
filled Santa’s sleigh with bags and small cases,
Vegetables and fruits and meats of all kinds,
And yummy little sweets, leaving nothing behind..

And giving a nod, Santa sprang to his sleigh,
When up in the air, they heard him to say,
It’s people like you, who prove it’s still true,
That the Spirit of Christmas is behind these small doors,
Where there’s compassion and giving and so much more!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Special thanks to our volunteers and donors for another wonderful year! We could not do it without you!

It cost the Food Bank almost $40,000 to purchase the turkeys and staple food items for the boxes.  This is about $10,000 more than was spent in 2009.  But we helped 36% more people than last year.  This effort is funded by our annual “Turkeys Tackling Hunger” campaign which raises money for the boxes.  $20 buys one family a turkey box.  Thanks to all the folks who donated this year – we could never have helped all these families without you!

Thanks to Ted Gomez from HEB Grocery Store on Thorpe Lane in San Marcos.  Ted helped organize HEB partners who volunteered their time to assemble almost 2200 boxes.  And they did it all in under 6 hours!  Those folks really know how to move food.

Thanks also to our many partner agencies who helped to deliver many of the boxes.

The mission of the Food Bank to feed hungry people has a direct and positive impact upon the well being and quality of life of many people in our community.