The CANstruction “Reader’s Choice” winner is…

The Very Hungry CANerpillar by Hardin Construction, Bury + Partners and Structures!

Last week we posted a CANstruction “Reader’s Choice” contest for the annual CANstruction event. CANstruction brings together teams of design and construction professionals and students to build fantastic sculptures from thousands of cans of food.

This year’s CANstruction raised more than 19,000 pounds of food. Thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s event!

Click here for pictures from the event.

Austin Empty Bowl Project

Howdy from the Empty Bowl Project! We’re hanging out at the Mexican American Cultural Center from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Come on out and enjoy some cool pottery, great soups and good times. Proceeds benefit hungry Central Texas children.

Vote your favorite CANstruction!

Did you miss the opportunity to vote your favorite CANstruction at the mall? No problem! From now through Sunday, Nov. 22, tell us which CANstruction you think is the best. Check out the pictures below, and click here to vote! We’ll post the CAFB Reader’s Choice winner on our blog next week.

The Capitol of Texas

The Very Hungry CANerpillar

Towering Over Hunger

Stomp Out Hunger

Drive Smart for Hunger

Raising Awareness on Hunger

Solution to Every Twist

Nourishing families one CAN at a time.

Teams of design and construction professionals and students had only eight hours (8 a.m. – 4 p.m.) to defy expectations, logic and gravity as they built fantastic sculptures from thousands of cans of food for the annual CANstruction event on Saturday, November 14 at Barton Creek Square Mall. They brought their creations to life, knowing that their structures will raise awareness about the issue of hunger and feed hungry Central Texans.

Here’s a closer look:

This year’s teams:

• Flintco Construction partnering with the UT American Society of Civil Engineers – Team Captain, Cynthia Amoles
• CJG Engineers – Team Captain, Sarah Willis
• HNTB Corporation – Team Captain, Sally Bittick
• Hardin Construction – Kristen Harrington
• Graeber, Simmons & Cowan partnering with Jaster-Quintanilla and Spaw Glass – Team Captain, Cara Sailing
• Workman Commercial Construction – Chris McMillan
• Schneider-Halls Design – Katie Marchand

The CANstructures are on display now through November 22. Swing by Barton Creek Square Mall and check them out. Don’t forget to bring a couple cans of food with you!

16.3 Percent (That’s One in Six) Texas Households are at Risk for Hunger. When is Enough, Enough?

David Davenport
President and CEO

Around this time of year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) releases its annual report on the state of hunger in America. The results are usually dismaying, but not surprising. The Texas Food Bank Network said in a news release this afternoon, “Because of the timing of the survey, the new data in the report represents 2008, early in the recession. That number today is almost undoubtedly worse.”  Our own Central Texas reports indicate a 60 percent increase in clients since this time last year. 

Now, more than ever, Texas needs strong public policy and a community-wide effort to address this problem.  That’s what the Hunger Is UNaceptable campaign is all about.  It’s about connecting people to the federal feeding programs in a way that encourages participation, and reduces stigma. It’s about collaborating with your neighbors to raise funds to support a trusted, community-based food safety net.  It’s about supporting the needs of a diverse community through volunteerism. And most importantly, it’s about understanding that the devastating effects of hunger impact more than the hungry.  It affects us all.

In the spirit of collaboration, I’ll be heading off to Waco later this week to participate in a statewide Hunger Summit. I hope you’ll also find a renewed sense of desire to support a growing effort to make a stronger, healthier, well-fed Texas.

The train has left the station.

Wellness Event: Free Diabetes Testing for Staff

Paige DeLeon, Sr. Director of Volunteer Resources, and nurse

The Food Bank cares about the well-being of everyone we serve, including our staff. This morning, and as part of American Diabetes Month, our Wellness Committee organized free on-site diabetes testing. 

Two nurses from El Buen Samaritano (a CAFB Partner Agency) generously donated their time and services. They encouraged participants to fast prior to their test. With a quick prick and a one-minute wait time, each person was tested and given their results. The nurses were extremely nice and helpful, providing each participating staff member with a comprehensive explanation of their test results.

“I appreciate this free service and am so thankful to work for an organization that supports our health. It [the test] was quick, and the nurse was friendly,” said Delta Garcia, Agency Relations Representative.

Quick Links from The American Diabetes Association:

Basic information about the disease

How to eat a healthy diet with diabetes

A quick test to determine if you are at risk

Want to stay connected? Join a social network for people touched by diabetes.

Were you ever on Food Stamps (SNAP)?

Lisa Goddard
Advocacy and Online Marketing Director

A new study released by the George Warren Brown School of Social work at Washington University in St. Louis and published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine reveals a sobering commentary on the quality of life for many American children.  

• Almost half of all U.S. children will live in a household that uses SNAP at some time in their lives. 
• One in four children in America will live in a household that uses SNAP for five or more years during their childhood. 
• For single parents 91% of children living in these households rely on SNAP. The usage is similarly high for black families and for families with low education levels. 
• Mark Rank, poverty expert and study co-author, explains these findings further.

The study is based on 30 years of data and takes into account a variety of economic conditions.  Clearly, the SNAP program is critical for many children in America, as there is such a high risk for them living in poverty at some point in their childhood.  

Remember, just because a child is poor, does not mean they will qualify for SNAP, or a variety of other Federal programs.  There are still many children who are not supported by the federal feeding safety net and rely on the support of the community, and the food banking system.   I agree with Mr. Rank.  We need a serious wakeup call.

Did you ever live on Food Stamps as a child?  What do you remember about that time? Consider sharing your story with us through our new Hunger Stories initiative, or comment below. 

Bonus Advocacy Points:  Share your story with your legislative representative, and help make ending hunger a priority in Texas.  If you need some extra talking points for your letter, Children’s Health Watch recently put together a nice one-sheeter summary about the harmful effects that even low food insecurity can have on children.

Ten Days Without a Glass of Milk

William Hubenschmidt
Development Research VISTA

I am the opposite of lactose intolerant. Since childhood, no food or drink has given me the feeling of nourishment quite like a cold glass of milk. Milk is such an irreplaceable part of my diet that dinner does not feel complete without it. However, a recent experience changed that.

I’m an AmeriCorps VISTA service member and have the privilege of working at the Food Bank as a Fund Development Researcher. I entered AmeriCorps with the goal of serving those in poverty, but also with the awareness that I would personally experience poverty. AmeriCorps pays a biweekly living stipend of $429, low enough to qualify for SNAP (Food Stamp) benefits. Even with food assistance, I am barely able to make ends meet. Recently, I had a glimpse of what life would be like without food stamps.

Photo courtesy of Essenmacher on Flickr

Recently, my monthly SNAP benefits were exhausted ten days early. Unsure of what to do and with little money in my bank account, I decided to approach hunger on a meal-to-meal basis. In the subsequent days, I experienced something between food insecurity and outright hunger. In borrowing tactics from someone who had experienced hunger, I simply chose to eat very little, rather than let hunger control me. This strangely empowering decision worked well for a few days, but the constant thought of food—any food—began to override.

On a Saturday toward the end of this experience, my only meal was a bowl of cereal. As the night approached and my stomach groaned, I couldn’t take it anymore. Impulsively, I decided to splurge on a Jimmy Johns sandwich rather than muster the energy and mental strength to enter a grocery store full of food that I could not afford.

When I entered Jimmy Johns, the smell of bread took on an entirely new dimension, as my nose barely had time to process what my stomach knew instantly. As I ordered, the cashier asked me if I wanted a drink. Normally, I avoid drinking soda, but this time I ordered a large. Before my sandwich was ready, I filled and gulped almost the entire Coke. My habit of avoiding refined sugars went completely out the window as I eventually drank two large Cokes with my turkey sandwich. Although I knew it was unhealthy, the pure calories in the soda felt as nourishing as a glass of milk! At that moment, I was starving—health, nutrition, and bank account empty. As I got up to leave the restaurant, I bought a bag of greasy potato chips and refilled my soda.

This experience taught me that hunger has a powerful effect on psychology and the very perception of food. Only a couple of hours passed before I was hungry again. Soda was a poor choice, but when you’re hungry, any calories will suffice. Even the simplest, most processed sugars. I was no longer in control of my diet.

So, why didn’t I try to get help at the Food Bank? I was naïve about hunger and I thought I could deal with it. Well, I can’t deal with it, and no one should have to. If it happens again, I know the Food Bank is here to help. Hopefully I can get a glass of milk, too.

Food Bank Podcasting: Giving a voice to hungry Central Texans

Alese Colehour
Communications VISTA

I have the amazing job of collecting hunger stories from our clients, donors, volunteers and staff, and today I’m excited to introduce our newest initiative: podcasting! Podcasts are downloadable audio files you can listen to and stream online.

Our podcasts feature weekly stories from hungry Central Texans. I ask questions like “How has hunger affected your life?” and “Why is the Food Bank important to you?”

Subscribe in iTunes and start listening today! Tell us about your own experience with hunger, and help us spread the message that Hunger Is UNacceptable.

Louis Blase, Catholic Charites, CAFB Partner Agency

Today’s Feature Story: Louis has a passion for cooking Cajun food. He is a Hurricane Katrina evacuee hailing from the heart of New Orleans. (Listen here.)

Subscribe to Capital Area Food Bank Hunger Stories by Email

Turn Hungry Holidays into Happy Holidays for Central Texas children.

David Davenport
President and CEO

When we think of the holidays, children often come to mind. We can all probably recall memories of children with gifts to unwrap or a delicious holiday meal to eat.

You might be surprised to know that many Food Bank clients are children. Texas has the highest rate of food-insecure children in the nation. 

In fact, one-in-three of the more than 300,000 people nourished each year by the Capital Area Food Bank is a child.

To help the thousands of children who benefit from Food Bank services each year, consider supporting CAFB this holiday season through these three simple ways:

• Order special CAFB holiday cards
• Give through our virtual gift catalog
• Make a one-time donation

We need your help to make sure all children receive the nourishment they need to learn and grow. Thank you for turning hungry holidays into happy holidays!