New Travis County Community Impact Report Reveals Many Families Struggle to Meet Basic Needs.
January 27, 2011 § Leave a comment
Released this month is part one of a report by the Travis County Commissioners Court report on community conditions in Travis County. This report is a great resource for those looking to understand why so many in Travis County struggle to make ends meet and why some CAFB Partner Agencies have reported a 30-40% increase in clientele this past year.
Key findings on hunger in the report:
- About 43% of households with incomes below the poverty level have trouble providing enough food and more than one-third of low-income families with incomes somewhat above the poverty level (up to 185%) also have difficulty providing adequate access to food.
- Income has not kept pace with the cost of food. In 2000, a family of four could live on a food budget of about $434 per month; in 2010, this cost was $583, an increase of about 35%.
- Food-related calls to 2-1-1 increased by 8% (from 6,457 calls in 2008 to 6,987 in 2009).
- More families are enrolling in SNAP (formerly Food Stamps), and that number in Travis county steadily increases. In December 2010, there were 49,409 SNAP cases in Travis County with 110,756 people (about 11% of all Travis County residents) receiving benefits.
More than one-third (35%) of residents (352,398 people) lived in households with incomes at or below 200% of the poverty level (that’s $21,660 for an individual or $44,100 for a family of four). That’s a lot of people who may not be income-eligible for WIC or SNAP, but still need help and come to the Food Bank or one of our Partner Agencies to receive assistance.
As the population in Travis County explodes, are these hunger facts sustainable? Is this acceptable? We don’t think so.
Learn more on HungerIsUNacceptable.com:
- Check out our interactive cost of living infographic to learn more about what it takes to live in Austin-Round Rock MSA.
- Learn more about Travis County on our county map infographic.
- How far do you have to travel to find hunger-relief resources, especially when you live in a low- income area? The hunger gaps map shows the intersection of poverty and resources in CAFB’s 21-county service territory.
- Take a virtual shopping trip. Drag and drop food items into the cart to donate the cost of food to the Food Bank.
- Share your concerns and this blog post with your elected officials. Tell them to make hunger issues a priority. Click here to find your representative.
“Should I donate food or donate money?” CAFB answers.
January 26, 2011 § Leave a comment
If you want to do good, and be good at doing good, we’re here to help. Look for our new blog series: “Your questions. CAFB’s answers.” to help you understand how your community food bank provides hunger relief. Learn how to navigate through the philanthropy jargon, and become a savvy supporter of CAFB’s mission.
On to today’s question.
If you’ve heard us say, “Every dollar donated provides $5 worth of nutritious food”, you may think it’s a no brainer – of course food donations are best.
This video produced by University of Pennsylvania Center for High-Impact Philanthropy highlights key benefits financial donations provide to CAFB and the 350 Partner Agencies we work with.
Food banks and pantries generally have greater buying power than the average consumer, which allows us to provide the right foods to support our diverse clientele. Cash donations, especially online donations, don’t take as much time to process, where food donations from the community are thoroughly inspected for safety. You may also prefer to give cash, since food donations are not tax-deductable.
So, sure, cash sounds like a great gift for the Food Bank. What’s better than the multiplier effect, lower overhead, and a tax deduction to boot?
Not so fast.
Donating food provides something money can’t – a donation experience. The time a donor takes to choose their donation, deliver their donation, and share their experience with a friend or family member has tremendous value. For parents and educators, a food donation can be a teachable moment.
A shining example is the educational and service learning program provided by A Legacy of Giving. Each year, hundreds of Austin-area students learn how to address poverty through a food and coat drive.
Then, there is Scouting for Food, a new partner with Souper Bowl of Caring. Scouts get a new opportunity to interact with their community by knocking on doors and picking up bags of donated non-perishable food items to bring back to the Food Bank.
For that simple donation of beans, The Food Bank benefits from grassroots marketing, a discussion about nutrition as donors decide the type of food their neighbors may enjoy, and potentially a new connection between a Scout and his neighbor. This is priceless.
So, the answer to your question is…
YES!
Donate food if it moves you to act. Donate money if it inspires you to talk to your friends, co-workers and neighbors to help join in. However you stake your claim on ending hunger in Central Texas, we’ll be there to accept your gift. Click here to get started.
Do you have a question you’d like us to answer through the blog? Send an email to lgoddard@austinfoodbank.org.
Win Earl Campbell’s Boots!
January 24, 2011 § Leave a comment
Somebody will always break your records. It is how you live that counts.
– Earl Campbell, 43rd winner of the Heisman Memorial Trophy and 1991 inductee of the NFL Hall of Fame.
Today, Earl Campbell wants you to live with a great pair of autographed UT Lucchese Boots and as a hunger hero. Don’t miss the opportunity to be the proud owner of these unique handmade boots made of the finest grade leather and near-perfect skins for a boot that is truly worthy of an autograph of the “one-man demolition team”.
Visit the Facebook auction page on the 25th to bid. The auction begins at noon and ends on the 28th at 4 p.m. (CST). Bidding starts at $225 and you can bid as much as you want in $5 increments. All proceeds will be donated to the Food Bank.
For those new to Facebook auctions:
1. “Like” the University Co-op Facebook page
2. Tag yourself in the auction photo.
3. Comment on the photo with your bid and email address.
It’s that simple. Keep up with the auction’s progress by following the hashtag #earlsboots on Twitter. Good luck!
Thank you, from the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas.
January 19, 2011 § Leave a comment
In 2010, your generosity nourished thousands of Central Texans. Thank you for acting on the belief that hunger is unacceptable. Watch this special video to learn about your impact. Please share with your friends and co-workers.
Cooking for Your Life
January 13, 2011 § Leave a comment
by Claudia Shenoda, CAFB Nutrition Educator, BSFCS
I was honored to work with a group of older adults who participated in my Cooking for Your Life Class, a four-week series that teaches low-income adults about food and kitchen safety, basic nutrition principles, and allows participants to prepare a variety of healthy, budget-friendly recipes. I taught the classes at Conley-Guerrero Senior Center, a community gathering place for senior citizens in east Austin. Thirty-six seniors attended the classes over four weeks and many of them came to all four classes.
At first I wasn’t sure if this group, with so many diverse life experiences, would find my class useful, but their enthusiasm and faithful attendance each week showed me that they wanted to be there. Janey Martinez, a diligent participant, told me every class that she learned so much (I was able to witness this personally as she told me of her smarter choices at the grocery store using the nutrition label to make healthier decisions), and others often thanked me warmly for the day’s lesson which provided new information and reinforcing messages about nutrition and food safety. I even won over a veteran/professional cake baker who was skeptical when we made banana nut muffins with little oil, no sugar and whole wheat flour. However, she positively expressed her regard of the recipes we prepared by preparing all of them in her own home over the course of four weeks.
The food safety component of this class, which focuses on four principles—clean, separate, chill and cook—proved especially relevant to this group because older adults are one of the three groups most susceptible to food borne illness. The lessons on healthier choices, appropriate serving sizes, and the various health benefits among the grains, vegetables, fruits and dairy groups provided essential information to these seniors who are also among the highest nutritionally at-risk groups in the country. Class participants also learned new ways to prepare foods using healthy and affordable ingredients using these recipes: Banana Nut Muffins; Chicken Salad with Apples, Walnuts, and Raisins; Tempting Tostadas; and Easy Lasagna.
Teaching the class proved a rewarding experience for all of us. They said they gained invaluable knowledge that will help them live a longer and healthier life, and I gained a sense of honor in working with them to change the way they think, prepare, and consume food.
I’ve included the infamous class recipe for Banana Nut Muffins below. This is a healthy and tasty recipe that is sure to be a hit with people of all ages!
Banana Nut Muffins Serving size: 1 muffin
Prep time: 20 minutes Serves: 14
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup hot water
2 eggs
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup mashed bananas
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, beat oil, apple sauce and honey together. Add eggs, and mix well. Stir in bananas and vanilla. Stir in flour and salt. Add baking soda to hot water, stir to mix, and then add to batter. Blend in chopped nuts.
3. Spray lined muffin tins with cooking spray.
4. Fill lined muffin tins 2/3 of the way full.
5. Bake for 30 minutes. Cool on wire rack for 15 minutes before enjoying.
Nutrition Information per Serving:
Calories 160, Total Fat 6g, Carbohydrates 26g, Fiber 3g, Protein 4g, Sodium 180mg, Cholesterol 30mg
Source: Allrecipes.com
Recipe modified by CHOICES Nutrition Education Program
8 Ways to Tackle Hunger with Souper Bowl of Caring
January 11, 2011 § Leave a comment
It’s that time of the year again – time to join the biggest youth-led food and fund drive in Central Texas. Each year we like to mix it up and encourage more people to participate. Last year, Tyson Foods challenged you to comment on their blog , which triggered a 100-pound food donation.
This year, along with Austin’s competing television networks, radio stations, print publications, grocery stores and other community partners, we’re teaming up with the Boy Scouts of Central Texas to reach our goal of one million meals. We can achieve our goal with fun activities for you online and in your Central Texas community. Here’s how you can get involved:
1. Join a team. Search online to find your team or start a new team and get registered.
2. Register your team for MLK Day. When you register online, you’ll receive your monthly e-newsletter and a free Resource Kit to help promote your event.
3. Enter the CAFB Souper Bowl of Caring Blog Contest.
Show off your creative talent by sending us a blog post with a photo gallery or video about your work with Souper Bowl of Caring. Winning entries will be featured on our blog at blog.austinfoodbank.org and on our Facebook page.
You’ll also get a limited edition Hunger is UNacceptable t-shirt and water bottle, as well as a special guided tour of the Food Bank for you and your friends. This is a great opportunity for youth to build their resume, for college applications, and to demonstrate leadership in your community. Click here to enter.
Contest Rules
- It must be about Souper Bowl of Caring.
- It must mention our goal of raising 1 million meals.
- It must include the words “Hunger is unacceptable.”
- Videos must be no longer than 3 minutes.
4. Donate online. Take a virtual shopping trip by putting food items into your online shopping cart. Then click “Donate” to donate the cost of those items to the Food Bank. It’s a fun way to help end hunger!
5. Support the “Scouting for Food” Food Drive
The Capitol Area Council Boy Scouts will be conducting a Food and Fund Drive in many areas throughout Central Texas. Scouts will leave door hangers on your door the week of January 22 – 29 and return to pick up non-perishable food items the following Saturday. Your donation will support a Capital Area Food Bank Partner Agency in your community.
On February 5, you’re invited to join us for the 101st anniversary celebration of the Scouting movement at the 62nd annual Boy Scout Parade and Report to the State of Texas in conjunction with the Souper Bowl of Caring. Watch the Boy Scouts State Parade on Congress Avenue where the scouts will collect healthy, non-perishable food donations for our Central Texas neighbors in need.
7. Donate at your local Randalls, H-E-B and Central Market’s
While you’re shopping for snacks for game day, consider sharing a meal with those in need. Purchase pre-packaged bags of most-needed items or look for tear-off coupons in the amounts of $1, $3 and $5 at checkout stands in area Randalls, H-E-B and Central Market grocery stores. Your purchase of a pre-packaged bag at either retailer provides two meals for a family of four.
8. Participate in Souper Bowl of Caring and save on Harlem Globetrotters tickets
The Harlem Globetrotters “4 Times the Fun” World Tour is coming to Austin on Friday, January 28. When you support Souper Bowl of Caring you’ll save $7 on tickets. Learn more.
Thank you, Partners:
HEB, Central Market, Randalls, FOX 7, News 8, KEYE TV, KVUE-TV, TeleFutura, Telemundo, Univision, The CW, My Austin TV, KVET, KASE 101, AM 1300 The Zone, Buena 104.3, La Jefa 107.7, Relevant Radio 970 AM, The Statesman, The Jewish Outlook, Ahora sí, Capitol Area Council Boy Scouts of America, and Harlem Globetrotters.