AUSTIN, TX, – The Central Texas Food Bank is excited to announce that it has been awarded a $92,500 grant to support the Food Bank’s programs for seniors. The grant is one of twelve awarded by Feeding America® and is made possible by funding from the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation. It is the largest investment Feeding America has made to date to support senior hunger programs.
“We are so thankful to receive this generous gift from the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation and Feeding America,” said Derrick Chubbs, President and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank. “May is Older Americans Month, so this donation couldn’t come at a more appropriate time. As summer approaches, utility bills rise, forcing those on fixed incomes to make tough budget choices which often include cutting back on nutritious food. This gift will have a huge positive impact for seniors who receive help through our Healthy Options Program for the Elderly (HOPE) and Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).”
Last year, the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation announced the launch of the Fill Your Tank program, one of the largest donations aimed at fighting hunger around the globe. As part of the program, Enterprise is supporting Feeding America and its network of food banks to strengthen programs aimed at combatting senior and child hunger. The Central Texas Food Bank received a $45,000 gift last December as a part of that program.
Enterprise Holdings Foundation Vice President and Executive Director Carolyn Kindle Betz said, “Enterprise Rent-A-Car is woven into the fabric of communities across the country. Seniors with food insecurity is an issue in many of these communities and our donation and partnership with Feeding America will help address this critical need.”
The Central Texas Food Bank is one of 200 food banks in the Feeding America network that collectively provide food assistance to 46 million Americans struggling with hunger. The gift will support two key Food Bank programs that provide nutritious food to seniors:
The Healthy Options Program for the Elderly (HOPE), which reduces hunger among low-income seniors age 55 or older by providing them with free monthly distributions of healthy, shelf-stable foods. Last year, the Food Bank’s HOPE program served 787,271 pounds of food.
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), which works to improve the health of low-income persons at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods.
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ABOUT THE CENTRAL TEXAS FOOD BANK
The mission of Central Texas Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in the fight against hunger. Founded in 1981, the Food Bank provides food and grocery products through a network of nearly 250 Partner Agencies and nutrition programs, serving nearly 46,000 people every week. Headquartered in Austin, the Food Bank serves 21 counties in Central Texas, an area about twice the size of Massachusetts. For more information on the Food Bank and its programs, visit centraltexasfoodbank.org.
ABOUT FEEDING AMERICA
Feeding America® is the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 46 million people through 60,000 food pantries and meal programs in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
