Together, We're Making Tomorrow Possible
Each September, Hunger Action Month brings people together to raise awareness and take meaningful steps toward reducing hunger in our communities. The need for food remains above pre-pandemic levels, with one in five Central Texas households experiencing food insecurity. But there is hope — when we come together, we can provide immediate and equitable access to nutritious food and resources, support education and programs, and address the root causes of hunger and poverty.
During Hunger Action Month — and year-round — you can make an impact by volunteering, donating, advocating, dining out, and more. Every action, no matter the size, helps strengthen our local food system and improve health outcomes for our neighbors.
Why Hunger Action Month Matters
Food insecurity touches every community, and hundreds of thousands of neighbors across our 21-county service area are working hard to feed their families. Each one deserves access to the nutritious food we all need to thrive. Today, more people are turning to food banks than at any point in the last decade — and together, we can ensure our neighbors have the resources and support they need.
In Central Texas, hunger is closer than many realize. Behind the high-level statistics are real families, seniors, and children whose needs vary widely from one community to the next. That’s why having more than just a big-picture number matters. By investing in precise data collection and analysis, we can see where hunger is hitting hardest and respond with targeted programs that meet each community’s unique needs. The more accurate our picture, the more effectively we can direct resources, expand services, and create long-term solutions where they’re needed most.
Statistics tell part of the story, but the voices of our neighbors bring the full picture into focus. Each person’s experience with hunger reflects unique challenges shaped by culture, geography, health, and circumstance. Listening to these voices helps us understand the barriers communities face — insights that numbers alone can’t reveal. By pairing these lived experiences with data, we gain a deeper, more human understanding of hunger in Central Texas. These stories not only inspire compassion, they guide our work, shaping programs and partnerships that respond directly to what communities say they need most.
Our Solutions
Addressing hunger — and cultivating healthier, happier communities — takes more than one approach. It requires meeting neighbors where they are, caring for the whole person, and tackling the root causes that put food security out of reach. We bring curiosity, compassion, and commitment to the table every day. Through a blend of immediate relief, long-term strategies, and innovative partnerships, we’re building a future where nutritious food and opportunity are within everyone’s reach.
Take Action During Hunger Action Month
Every action counts! As you get involved this Hunger Action Month, make sure to use the hashtag #CTFBHungerActionMonth and tag @ctxfoodbank to share your actions and inspire others to join the movement!
Whether you have time, resources, or a voice to share, every action you take helps create a stronger, more resilient Central Texas. From lending a hand in our warehouse to sparking conversations in your community, there’s a place for everyone in this movement.
Give your time where it matters most. Help sort donations, pack nutritious food boxes, harvest fresh produce in our garden, or assist neighbors directly in our markets. Volunteering connects you to the heart of our mission — making sure nutritious food reaches those who need it, when they need it most.
Your financial support powers innovation and ensures steady access to nutritious food year-round. Organize a workplace fundraiser, coordinate a food drive, or take advantage of matching gift opportunities to double your impact. Every gift is an investment in a healthier tomorrow.
Hunger isn’t just a food issue — it’s a policy issue. Use our advocacy tools to stand up for your neighbors by supporting programs like SNAP. Writing your representative or sharing facts about hunger helps create lasting change and ensures no one in Central Texas is left behind.
Make Hunger Action Month visible. Wear orange to show your support, share stories that shine a light on hunger in your community, or host an event to inspire others to take action. Every conversation you start brings us one step closer to a happier, healthier future for all Central Texans.
Small actions add up. This month, challenge yourself to complete 30 different activities — one for each day of Hunger Action Month. Each step helps raise awareness, build momentum, and directly support neighbors across Central Texas.
Understand the Bigger Picture
Lasting change starts with understanding the full scope of need — and the systems that shape it. Data and community insight help us connect stakeholders, strengthen local food systems, power innovative programs, and guide solutions that make tomorrow possible for every Central Texan.
The Central Texas Food System Dashboard is a first-of-its-kind tool designed to provide a comprehensive, real-time look at the factors that influence food access in our 21-county service area. It brings together data on local food production, distribution, affordability, and access, allowing community leaders, advocates, and policymakers to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities. By making this data publicly accessible, we help ensure that decisions are driven by accurate, up-to-date information — fostering collaboration and smarter investments in our region’s food system.
The Regional Food System Council unites diverse voices from across Central Texas — including farmers, nonprofit leaders, public agencies, healthcare providers, and educators — to address systemic barriers to nutritious food access. Together, this network develops strategies that support local food producers, improve distribution infrastructure, and strengthen community-based solutions. As an active member and convening organization, CTFB leverages our reach to ensure that on-the-ground experiences shape regional policies and programs.
Our vision is that every Central Texan has equitable access to nutritious food — whether through immediate assistance or the resources to meet their own needs. Achieving this vision requires a healthy, sustainable food system. Through Food Access Community Needs Assessments (CNAs), we gather hyper-local insights on the unique challenges and opportunities in each of our 21 counties.
- Community-driven approach: Focus groups, surveys, and interviews capture the lived experiences of neighbors, providers, and local leaders.
- Actionable outcomes: CNA findings guide our investments in programs, infrastructure, and advocacy — ensuring resources are directed where they can have the greatest impact.
- Regional alignment: This data not only informs our work but also supports local planning efforts and shapes broader strategies to strengthen the Central Texas food system.
By combining real-time data with community voices, we are building solutions that work for all — today and for generations to come.
Spread the Word
Hunger Action Month is a reminder that change happens when we come together. Every action — big or small — helps move us closer to a future where no one in Central Texas has to wonder where their next meal will come from. Whether it’s sharing your time, lending your voice, or making a gift, each step you take joins a powerful wave of community support that fuels hope and strengthens the food system for all.
The vision of a happier, healthier Central Texas starts with each of us. When you take action in a way that fits your life — whether it’s volunteering, advocating, or donating — you help build a community where every neighbor has access to the nutritious food and vital resources they need to thrive. Together, we can create a tomorrow where opportunity is within reach for all.
