STOMP Helps Stamp Out Hunger.

Who’d have thought that banging on everyday items could uplift and inspire?  Yesterday’s performance at the Food Bank by the cast of STOMP,  using food drive barrels, pots and pans, postal boxes, and big cans of food did just that. With the help of STOMP performers, local USPS letter carriers and Food Bank staff took toe-tapping to a whole new level.  View photos of the letter carriers and STOMP cast volunteering at the Food Bank, and watch the video of the STOMP performance.

STOMP’s family-friendly percussive dance comedy improvisation act is showing at the Paramount Theater now through May 9. When you bring healthy, non-perishable food items to the Theater, you’ll receive $10 off tickets to see the show, and a portion of the proceeds benefits the Food Bank.  For more information about STOMP or to purchase tickets, go to austintheatre.org or call 1-(866) 977-6849.

Remember, “Stamp Out Hunger” is this Saturday. Learn five ways to maximize your impact.

“Hunger. It just ain’t right.”

Galindo Elementary Leadership Council students held a food drive during Souper Bowl of Caring. Watch the video —

Thanks to everyone who supported this year’s Souper Bowl of Caring. Because of the great turnout, we’re still picking up donations from the stores! Stay tuned to see if your donations reached our goal of providing 750,000 meals.

Did you do something fun for Souper Bowl of Caring? Share your story with us in the comments section below. We love hearing from you!

Click here for more opportunities to get involved through our community events.

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!

Thank you, Austin, for a successful, first-ever Oktoberfest!

 

Oktoberfest brought together some of the city’s best beer, bands and tasty food this past weekend. Austin’s favorites Guy Forsyth, Dustin Welch, Nakia and his Southern Cousins, and others entertained the festival goers.

And get this, thanks to all the volunteers and attendees, the Food Bank raised more than $3,700 and 2,400 pounds of food for hungry Central Texans!

Thank you, Austin!

Click here to see more photos from this event.

Did you go to Oktoberfest? What was your favorite part? Share your story in the comments section below.

Dine out at the Cheesecake Factory and they’ll donate to the Food Bank.

 

 

Photo courtesy The Cheesecake Factory

How would you like a piece of Stefanie’s Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Cheesecake with moist layers of red velvet cake and cheesecake covered with a special Cheesecake Factory cream cheese frosting?  25¢ from the sale of each slice will be donated to Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network. 

Sound too decadent? Well, there are more than 30 cheesecakes from which to choose (and, yes, there are healthy salads if you’re watching your weight).

On Sept. 30, and as part of Hunger Action Month, bring two cans of non-perishable food with you when you eat at the Cheesecake Factory and they’ll donate 10 percent of your bill to the Food Bank.

Treat yourself to a hunger-ending meal.

Celebrate Texas menus and wines while helping our neighbors in need.

Next week (Sept. 28 – Oct. 2), The Texas Department of Agriculture’s GO TEXAN program invites you to dine-out at participating GO TEXAN restaurants during the 2009 GO TEXAN Restaurant Round-Up, and a portion of the days proceeds will go to local food banks.

Visit  www.GOTEXANRestaurantRoundUp.com to find a GO TEXAN restaurant near you. Participating members will be serving special Texas menu items – giddy up!

Don’t forget to sign up to win Texas-sized giveaways, including an in-home wine tasting and a gift basket full of popcorn, coffee and chocolate!

Good times at the 2009 Hot Sauce Festival!

Thanks to everyone who joined us at this year’s Hot Sauce Festival including volunteers, vendors and festival go-ers. You helped raise $14,269 and 29,413 pounds of food for hungry Central Texans, nearly 8,000 pounds more than last year. Good salsa, good people, good times!

See more photos from the event.