This month, our Central Texas Food Bank, (CTFB) team had the opportunity to spotlight our Home Delivery Program — a collaborative effort to deliver boxes of nutritious food made possible through the dedication of local partners and the support of Amazon. Bella Kirchner, Vice President of Client Programs & Services; Kate Thornton; Client Meal Programs Manager, and Samantha Lewis, Home Delivery Coordinator; recently presented the journey and impact of this innovative program that’s helping us reach more of our neighbors in need at Amazon Shipping’s Lunch and Learn.
How It Works
Born from a critical need during the pandemic, the Home Delivery Program launched in June 2021 with the goal of delivering boxes of shelf-stable foods directly to homebound and mobility-limited neighbors in need of food assistance. The program has grown and now serves more than 3000 neighbors across four counties – Travis, Williamson, Bastrop and Hays. Each participant receives a grocery box delivered directly to their doorstep each month filled with 20 pounds of shelf stable food and 10 pounds of produce as well as nutrition recipes. Participants also receive referrals to CTFB’s Benefits and Emergency Services team for assistance with SNAP enrollment. Participants remain in the program for up to a year, providing stability and nourishment month after month.
The People Powering the Program
Behind every box delivered is a story of collaboration, care, and community. This program wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our external partners, who play a vital role in making it all happen. Our incredible community partners — the Round Rock Area Serving Center and Bastrop County Cares — are on the front lines, helping individuals enroll, reviewing applications, and ensuring that qualified households are set up for success. Thanks to our partnership with Amazon, we’re able to reach neighbors in both urban and rural areas across four counties. Their logistical support makes it possible to scale our impact and bring essential resources right to the doorsteps of those who need them most.
Internally, the program is led by our Client Programs + Services team, including Bella, Kate, and Samantha, but its success wouldn’t be possible without collaboration across nearly every CTFB department:
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Food Industry sources high quality nutrition food to add to boxes;
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Nutrition Education helps identify the right mix of items and offers recipes and healthy tips;
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The Sort team and volunteers carefully assemble boxes;
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Warehousing and Transportation teams ensure every box is staged, stored, and loaded for delivery;
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The BES team works with participants when they enroll, guiding them through the application process for government benefits.
From box builds to weekly volunteer events and cold dock storage, the logistics are complex — but the outcome is simple: fresh, nutritious food delivered with dignity.
Voices of Impact
At the heart of our work is a commitment to listening to the people we serve. Each quarter, we invite program participants to share honest feedback about their experience so we can understand what’s working and where there are opportunities for improvement. The results from our survey speak volumes about the impact of the program: :
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91% of participants reported satisfaction with the program
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89% said it met their immediate food needs
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70% saw at least one positive health outcome
Clients who reported improved health also shared:
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25% higher overall program satisfaction
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54% higher satisfaction with food variety
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84% more likely to report their needs were met
And the most powerful feedback comes straight from our neighbors:
"We are a recipient of the monthly box, and we just want to say thank you again. We got some spaghetti squash this month and it was the first time I was ever able to cook it for my daughter — she loved it. So, thank you so much." – Leanne, Home Delivery Client
"It’s like Christmas every month... different items this time — all of which I love. I just can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. Thank you so much." – Cynthia, Home Delivery Client
Nourishment Without Barriers
The Home Delivery Program is more than a meal — it’s a promise that no matter your mobility, access or resources, we’ll find a way to nourish you. Through cross-department teamwork, strong partnerships, and innovations in logistics, we're delivering food — and hope — right to the doorsteps of those who need it most.
To learn more about how the CTFB is working to reduce barriers to healthy food, visit our website.
