September is Hunger Action Month—a month where we raise awareness about food insecurity and mobilize our community to take action on hunger. The pandemic has affected families nationwide and our neighbors right here in Central Texas. With the unprecedented need due to COVID-19, we need your help to fight hunger. Don’t know where to start? Here are five easy ways to join the movement locally:
1. Volunteer
As we continue to serve the dramatic need due to the pandemic, we need your help to ensure families get the food they need. Join us in our warehouse in the morning or afternoon to help sort and pack food for distribution.
If you prefer fresh air, take a mini road trip and meet us at a Mobile Food Pantry distribution. We have distribution sites across 21 Central Texas counties. Mobile Pantry volunteers help direct traffic and place boxes of food in vehicle’s trunks. Sign up for a volunteer shift here.
2. Host a Virtual Food Drive
The best way to raise food for the Food Bank is by starting a virtual food drive. Get your friends, co-workers, family involve to raise meals virtually through a customizable fundraising page. Due to COVID precautions, a virtual food drive is safer for everyone and thanks to our food donor relationships; we can stretch your dollars to provide more meals for our community. Get started here.
3. Get Social
We use our social media channels to share information about the work we do and special opportunities to make an even greater impact. You can help spread the word about our mission when you share our posts with your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn network. Check us out at Facebook/LinkedIn: @Central Texas Food Bank, Instagram/Twitter: @ctxfoodbank
Social media also makes it easy to engage your friends and family to help you fight hunger. Why not start a Facebook fundraiser? Whether you’re celebrating your special day with a birthday fundraiser or just want to help us raise meals, one hundred percent of the donations made through Facebook go directly to the Food Bank. Start your fundraiser here.
4. Fill out the Census
For real change, we need your voice to help fight hunger. If you haven’t completed the census, don’t wait any longer. The deadline to complete the census is September 30. Why is it important? More than $800 billion in federal funding is guided based on census data for federal assistance programs like SNAP and programs that support food banks. The census also determines how many congressional seats states have and how districts are drawn, resulting in fair political representation. Additionally, census data impacts public infrastructure that benefit people experiencing hunger.
5. Register to Vote
2020 is an election year and your voice matters. With your vote, you have the power to create real change and decide the future of crucial programs like SNAP and school meal programs. Voting gives you the opportunity to stand up for issues you care about and to support candidates that align with what you believe in. The deadline to register to vote in Texas is October 5. Need to register to vote? Click here to get help registering. Registered voters can cast their vote early from October 13- 30. Election Day is November 3. Your opinions and concerns matter. Make your voice heard this election year!
