For the third consecutive year, Austin-based water filtration brand Aquasana is partnering with the Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB) during Amplify Austin, the region’s largest day of giving. As an Early Giving partner, Aquasana is providing a $5,000 matching donation, doubling individual gifts made between January 28 and March 3 — helping stretch generosity even further for Central Texas families.
This year’s matching gift will support CTFB’s Feeding Futures School Pantry Program, which provides reliable access to nutritious food for students and their families in familiar, school-based settings. With rising costs of living and ongoing barriers to healthy food access, one in four children in Central Texas experiences food insecurity — making partnerships like this more important than ever.
"The growing cost of living, combined with increasing barriers to access healthy food, means that now one in four kids throughout Central Texas are food insecure," said Sari M. Vatske, president and chief executive officer of the Central Texas Food Bank. "This year's Early Giving matching gift from Aquasana will go toward helping expand our Feeding Futures School Pantry Program, which supports children and their families in a familiar and accessible location, and will provide two times the meals for kids and families throughout the year.”
More than dollars: showing up through service
Aquasana’s commitment goes beyond financial support. Since first volunteering with CTFB in 2024, Aquasana employees have contributed dozens of volunteer hours, helping sort and pack food that fills empty tables across our service area. Their team will return to volunteer again on Amplify Austin day, continuing a hands-on tradition of service.
As Aquasana General Manager Derek Mellencamp shared, their employees have had the opportunity to see firsthand the difference this work makes for neighbors — and that experience continues to inspire their support year after year.
“We’re proud to partner with the Central Texas Food Bank to increase equitable access to nutritious food for Central Texas neighbors,” said Derek Mellencamp, general manager at Aquasana. “In 2024, our matching donation helped provide groceries for more than 30,000 families. During last year’s Amplify Day, our support helped generate $369,000 — enough to open seven school pantries serving children in need. Our team has also had the privilege of volunteering with CTFB and witnessing firsthand the incredible difference they make for our neighbors. We’re honored to continue that work, including volunteering again on March 4, and to help nourish thousands of children and families across Central Texas and beyond.”
Looking ahead
In past years, Aquasana’s matching gifts have helped provide groceries for tens of thousands of families and supported the opening of new school pantries across Central Texas. Their continued partnership reflects a shared belief in making tomorrow possible — for children, families, and entire communities.
We’re grateful to Aquasana for standing alongside us once again and for investing in solutions that help neighbors not just get by today, but build a healthier future.
Want to join Aquasana in helping power CTFB programs this Amplify Austin Day? Make your gift today at: https://www.amplifyatx.org/organizations/central-texas-food-bank
Interested in partnering with the Central Texas Food Bank? Click here to learn how your company can make an impact through giving, volunteering, or both.
