“We are who we serve!” It’s a motto and a cheerful team yell as volunteers kicked off a distribution for The Healing Project in Pflugerville.
As a partner agency of the Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB), the organization provides food, diapers, hygiene items and wraparound support to families across Austin, Manor, Pflugerville and Round Rock — driving the items directly to their door if needed. What truly sets them apart is how deeply personal the work is.
“I have that lived experience and know how it feels to be in a community that has food insecurity,” said founder and executive director Nyeka Arnold.
Turning lived experience into action
As a sixth-generation Austin native, Arnold grew up seeing firsthand how food insecurity, displacement and systemic barriers affect families. The word “Project” in the name of the nonprofit stands for the project where she grew up in East Austin.
"Experiencing that made me want to create something I didn’t have, my mom didn’t have, my great aunt didn’t have either, but something our kids will have. I just wanted to create something that outlives us, outlives the trauma that we go through that we experience every day of our lives.”
That vision became The Healing Project, founded in 2021 as a one-stop shop where neighbors can access food and basic needs without being told “no.” It recently came on as a partner agency for CTFB in February of 2025.
In addition to pantry staples, fresh produce and protein, families can receive:
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Diapers and wipes
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Baby formula
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Toothpaste and hygiene supplies
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Toiletries and other essentials
“We’re going to try to offer everything we can to folks, so they won’t leave retraumatized or having to call so many places to access basic needs,” said Arnold.
Healing on Wheels: food delivered with dignity
One of the organization’s most impactful efforts is its mobile distribution that brings food and supplies directly to neighbors who can’t travel.
“My favorite program is our Healing on Wheels program where we take the resources directly to peoples’ doors,” said Arnold. “Especially, our most vulnerable. The people that can’t make it to us. That can’t make it to food pantries. That can’t get on a bus. That can’t barely make it out of bed or don’t feel safe to leave their homes. We want to make a program that listens to the people and meets them where they’re at.”
Through pantry events and deliveries, The Healing Project serves 400–500 families every month.
And with support from CTFB, that reach continues to grow.
When emergency needs spiked during the government shutdown in October and November of 2025, the partnership helped activate large drive-through distributions that served thousands of neighbors in just a few months.
“The combined efforts change and save lives,” Arnold said. “There’s no way we could operate without Central Texas Food Bank.”
A first visit, a burden lifted
For neighbor Tina Harrison, attending a recent distribution in Pflugerville was her first time seeking help.
After her husband became ill, life changed quickly.
“I had to make a lot of life changes and it's a struggle,” she shared.
Seeing tables filled with fresh produce and frozen chicken brought unexpected relief.
“I’m just happy inside. It’s like a blessing,” she said. “It’s a burden lifted off when you know you’ve got resources to turn to. If nothing else, I got some food.”
She encourages others to put their pride aside and reach out for help.
“When you’re going through things, it’s good to know you’re not the only one,” Harrison said. “It opens up a whole other world.”
A family effort to serve
For Arnold, the work is truly a family affair.
Her aunt, Stephanie Foster, who helped raise her, regularly volunteers at distributions.
“I love to help the people,” Foster said. “Times are so hard right now, and everyone needs an encouraging word.”
That spirit of care — neighbor helping neighbor — is what powers every distribution.
Always moving forward
The Healing Project’s word of the year is forward.
“Regardless if you fall, fall forward,” Arnold said. “Crawl forward. Scoot forward. Just go forward.”
It’s a mindset that reflects both resilience and hope — values shared by CTFB and the many partner agencies working every day to fill empty tables across our region.
Want to support partners like The Healing Project?
Volunteer, donate or learn more about how the Central Texas Food Bank works alongside local organizations to bring food directly to neighbors across Central Texas.
