Hungry Children. Three Wishes.

It’s the holidays, and these children from Kids Cafe, a CAFB after school hot meal program at the South Austin Boys and Girls Club, have three wishes:

Sophia, 7: “I didn’t eat breakfast today. I feel real hungry,” she says. “When I grow up I want to be a dancer and a singer, like Michael Jackson.”

Sophia’s three wishes: candy, a pickle and an ice cream party.

Amber, 13, says she wants to be a lawyer when she grows up. Every day after school, she serves food to her peers at Kids Cafe. “I like helping. It’s fun,” says Amber. “I’ve been here every day.” Amber is diabetic and needs to eat healthy food. “It’s really hard for me,” she says. “My doctor says if I go back to the hospital I might not wake up. That scared me because it’s hard to take good care of myself.”

Amber’s three wishes: make enough money to help her mom pay all the bills, go to Disney World with her family and get rid of her sickness.

Cyrina, 8: “I want to be a veterinarian when I grow up because I love working with animals,” she says. “I love Kids Cafe. It’s the best thing at Boys and Girls Club.”

Cyrina’s three wishes: a dog, a laptop computer and a million more wishes.

Do you have three wishes? What are they?
Click here to learn how you can help other hungry children this holiday season.

You can turn hungry holidays into happy holidays.

Gabriella, 9, recently lost her home to a fire.  She and her dad lived in a shelter while her dad looked for a new  job and home.  She rides the bus to school every morning and says “I don’t eat breakfast because my dad doesn’t have time to make it for me.”

She likes spending the weekend with her half-sister, who is four-years-old. “This weekend we’re going to have a sleepover,” she said. Gabriella’s father, who now works at Goodwill, picks her up after Kids Cafe five days a week and brings her home to their new apartment. “Without Kids Cafe,” Gabriella said, “I would feel hungry.”

Looking for a way to give back this holiday season? Help turn hungry holidays into happy holidays for children just like Gabriella through these 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 Central Texas families have the nourishment they need to live healthy, fulfilled lives. Thanks so much for helping turn hungry holidays into happy holidays!

Eye-spy…Santa at the Food Bank!

Don Breedlove, a long-time CAFB volunteer, wanted to spread holiday cheer at the Food Bank and on Saturday, Dec. 13, he came dressed as Santa Claus – check him out!

Don works at Central Market and spends his free time volunteering at the Food Bank. He grows his beard and perfects his holiday chuckle just for Christmas.

Everyone enjoyed his presence and his holiday cheer was the best. Thanks, Don <er> Santa!

See more photos:

Spreading Cheer Across Central Texas

We’re Turning Hungry Holidays into Happy Holidays and spreadin’ love, with food in the back and bows on the side of our fleet of trucks.

We deliver nutritious food and grocery products to more than 350 Partner Agencies in 21 Central Texas counties, from Waco to San Marcos, and Fredericksburg to LaGrange. Each truck distributes anywhere from 1,000 to 40,000 pounds of food and makes 1 to 15 stops per day.

This time of year is especially busy, and we’re thankful to our amazing Operations team for helping to spread cheer across Central Texas.

If you see them on the road, give a horn beep and a friendly wave to say, “Thanks!”

You can help Turn Hungry Holidays into Happy Holidays too. To donate or get involved, click here.

You can…

Shopping for gifts, planning big meals, addressing cards, organizing family get-togethers…for many, the holidays are a hectic, busy time. This is also reality for food banks across the nation. Today we launch our holiday campaign and gear up for the hundreds of food & fund drives, community events, fundraising efforts, food distribution and overall rush of activities that come this time of year.

Now is when we need the most help. We invite you to include us in your holiday giving, and help us “Turn Hungry Holidays into Happy Holidays” for thousands of Central Texans.

Ways to give this holiday season include:
Host a holiday party with a purpose.
Give cards that give back.
Go out and have fun.
Lend a hand.
Tell a friend.

For more information on how to give back this holiday season, click here. Stay tuned for more details on ways to give this holiday season.

CAFB Holiday Cards are so fun

Front of holiday card

We’ve got a fun and unique way for you to give back this upcoming holiday season – CAFB Holiday Cards. Help feed hungry families across Central Texas while making your holiday season less hectic.

These are great for friends, family and/or business associates. Our cards make a statement, featuring your message of good will and support to those in need, without mentioning the amount donated.

And the best part – you can order online. You may also print and mail your order form, available on our website. To ensure receipt by December 25th, please mail your order form by December 9th.

Inside CAFB Holiday Card

From the adorable girl on the front to the sweet message on the inside, you’re sure to make a statement this holiday season with a set of CAFB Holiday Cards.

For more information, contact Emily Babb at (512) 282-2111.