When devastating floods swept through Central Texas on July 4th weekend, neighbors in Kingsland faced life‑threatening danger. One woman had just minutes to react when seven feet of water filled her apartment.
“She crawled up on a table with her German shepherd — twice her size — to escape,” recalled Cynthia Green, President of Sharing the Harvest, a Central Texas Food Bank partner agency.
The woman was one of many older adults whose lives were turned upside down. Now living in hotels with only microwaves to prepare meals, they rely on adapted food distributions from the Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB). Quick, thoughtful adjustments made to ensure seniors can still safely cook and eat.
“When we brought her food and pet supplies later, her gratitude and faith deeply moved me,” shared Green. “Even after losing everything, her faith in the community grew stronger than ever.”
A growing need from near and far
While Kingsland residents continue to recover, the community is also seeing an influx of people from nearby towns whose homes were destroyed. Sharing the Harvest President Green says the need for food and resources has skyrocketed.
“Unlike 2018, when the flood hit Kingsland directly, this time we’ve seen people relocating here, families staying with relatives while they rebuild,” Green explained.
On July 21, cars stretched for blocks around the Kingsland Community Center at an emergency distribution hosted by Sharing the Harvest and CTFB. Neighbors received pantry staples, hygiene kits, cleaning supplies and even pet food; all made possible through community‑led partnerships, including The Ark, Marble Falls, Kingsland Chamber of Commerce, Delta Phi, and the Pregnancy and Life Center.
Community spirit leading the way
Through it all, Green has been struck by the outpouring of love and generosity.
“The community has really come together, and we are so grateful for the Central Texas Food Bank reaching out to orchestrate all of this,” she said.
Sharing the Harvest, Kingsland’s trusted “local food pantry plus” since 1994, has always been about more than food. Together with CTFB, they’re expanding hours and services to meet neighbors where they are. Thanks to a new building donated by First Baptist Church of Kingsland, the pantry will soon offer evening and weekend hours for working parents and seniors who can’t attend normal distributions.
Green knows this work won’t end when the floodwaters recede.
“You can’t outgive mercy and grace. Our partnership with the Central Texas Food Bank and local organizations is a blessing for this community, especially as the need will continue for months to come.”
Recovery will take time
Healing won’t happen overnight.
“We’re not just looking at what we can do today,” she said. “We’re planning for three months, six months, even a year from now, because the need doesn’t go away just because the rain stops.”
CTFB will be there every step of the way, supporting partners like Sharing the Harvest to ensure neighbors have access to the nutritious food and essential supplies they need, today, tomorrow and well into the future.
How you can help
Sharing the Harvest and the CTFB need the community’s support to continue serving displaced families and vulnerable seniors.
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Donate to help keep food, hygiene products and cleaning supplies flowing
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Volunteer your time at pantries and emergency events
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Share this story to spread the word
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Visit Sharing the Harvest’s website to learn more and get involved.
Together, we can nourish hope, rebuild lives, and show what it means to be a community.
