feedback Fall 2011
C A P I TA L A R E A F O O D B A N K O F T E X A S
Turn Hungry Holidays into Happy Holidays p2 . The Farm Bill 2012 is Here — What You Need to Know p3 Thank You and Upcoming Events p4 & 5 . Central Texas Wildfire Relief p6 & 7 Message from the President & CEO p8
Our mission: to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger.
You can help. Advocate I Donate I Volunteer austinfoodbank.org
Learn how you can help at austinfoodbank.org
Public Policy Update
The 2012 Farm Bill is Here — What You Need to Know. By Kathy Golson, Senior Director of Advocacy and Public Policy
The 2012 Farm Bill is here, and as a Food Bank advocate, you should care. Why? Not because it involves counter-cyclical payments and crop insurance (although you may care about those issues, too), but because a large part of it affects nutrition assistance.
Although the name would imply “cows, plows, and sows,” nearly 2/3 of the Farm Bill involves the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)—two programs very critical to the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) and its clients. The Farm Bill reauthorizes these programs, meaning that Congress gets an opportunity to change their structure and continue them for the next five years. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, once known as “food stamps,” provides funds to families in need to help them purchase groceries and is an entitlement program, meaning that the funding responds to the need. During the recent recession, SNAP has been credited with keeping many families out of poverty and food pantry lines. Additionally, SNAP has economic benefits, returning $9 to the local economy for every $5 spent. The Emergency Food Assistance Program provides federal commodities for food banks to distribute. At CAFB, TEFAP comprises more than 30 percent of our inventory—our primary resource for food. This is food that every one of our 355 Partner Agencies relies on to serve their clients.
Meet Congressman Michael Conaway All members of Congress have a part in the final outcome of the Farm Bill. However, Central Texas members such as Congressman Michael Conaway will play a key role in crafting the legislation. As a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, Conaway has already participated in preliminary Farm Bill hearings this year and last. Conaway is a native of Odessa, and is serving his fourth term in Congress. His district (the 11th district) covers 36 counties, including six in the CAFB service territory: Burnet, Gillespie, Lampasas, Llano, Mills, and San Saba.
As with any major piece of legislation before Congress, politics ensue. The current deficit negotiations could impact Farm Bill funding. As www.conaway.house.gov I (202) 225-3605 Congress considers their mandate to cut spending, a $69 billion SNAP program is an attractive target. Other Farm Bill programs have established lobbyists who will make persuasive arguments to protect their interests. While neither SNAP nor TEFAP is likely to be eliminated, proposals to limit eligibility or make other structural changes could also be offered. Many of the programs in the Farm Bill are necessary and should be funded. However, Congress should not debate the merits of one program against another. Instead, the discussion should take a holistic approach of how to best ensure safe, healthy food for all of our country’s citizens, regardless of income. For more information, and ways you can get involved, visit: austinfoodbank.org/how-to-help
Highlights • We screened the movie “DIVE! Living off America’s Waste” at the Blanton Museum to a sold-out crowd. DIVE! examines the paradox of billions of pounds of wasted food while 1 in 6 Americans struggle with hunger. We hope to show the documentary again, so be on the look out for additional screenings. • We attended the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA)/Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) 2011 annual convention and reached more than 8,000 educators to talk about joining forces with schools to establish food pantries, and how participants can become involved in ending hunger through volunteering, donating, and advocacy.
cafb community e
Thank you to everyone who made thes
H-E-B Help End Hunger Campaign Raised $88,000 for hungry Central Texans
CoreLogic Food and Fund Drive Raised more than $5,700 and 1,911 pounds of food
Randalls/CBS-42 KEYE Food for Fam Raised more than $5,400 and 6,351 pounds of food
Photo courtesy KWillis Design
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Raised more than $2,700 and 1,685 pounds of food
Photo courtesy GreenTee Photo
Kerbey Lane Christmas in July Raised more than $2,470 and 618 pounds of food
21st ann Raised mo
Volusion’s “We Like Food” Cause-Related Marketing Campaign Raised $5,000 and 2,683 pounds of food
events
Learn how you can help at austinfoodbank.org
For more on our events, follow us on Twitter: @events4good
se events successful!
join us
for these upcoming events: 4th annual CANstruction November 12 - 20 Barton Creek Square Mall For more information, visit: www.canstructionaustin.org Make a difference in the fight against hunger by joining us for CANstruction Austin, a charity event committed to ending hunger around the globe. Competing teams, led by local architects, engineers and builders showcase their talents by designing and building giant sculptures made entirely of canned foods. At the close of the construction exhibition, all of the food used in the structures is donated to the Capital Area Food Bank to help nourish hungry Central Texans. So, stop by and check out these gravity-defying structures! Bryan Mays of KVUE is this year’s emcee.
15TH ANNUAL AUSTIN EMPTY BOWL PROJECT
nual Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival ore than $17,000 and 18,637 pounds of food
New Venue: Marchesa Hall and Theatre Lincoln Village, 6226 Middle Fiskville Rd. For more information, visit: www.austinemptybowl.org Preview Party: Saturday, November 19, 6 – 9 p.m. MAIN EVENT: Sunday, November 20, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. One of Austin’s favorite family-friendly events, Austin Empty Bowl Project has provided local potters, musicians and restaurants the opportunity to help hungry Central Texas children for more than a decade. For $20, you can purchase a locally hand-crafted bowl filled with your pick of delicious soups and bread donated by local chefs. All proceeds are donated to the Capital Area Food Bank’s Kids Cafe program.
Holiday luminations
milies
Keller Williams’ 18th annual Food and Fund Drive Raised more than $150 and 14,400 pounds of food
Order your CAFB Holiday cards! As the holidays approach, we’ve got just the thing for all the family, friends and neighbors on your list: CAFB Holiday Cards! Let them know that you’ve made a donation to the Food Bank on their behalf and spread the spirit of generosity to your loved ones this year. To order, call Ana Perkins at 512-684-2552 or email aperkins@austinfoodbank.org. Suggested donation: $3 per card.
December 10 - 11 Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center 6 – 9 p.m. Enjoy gardens lit with more than 3,000 luminarias and 5,000 twinkle lights and listen to music of the season. Admission is free with two canned food items for the Capital Area Food Bank. Be sure to see the beautifully decorated holiday trees in the McDermott Learning Center, sponsored by local community groups. Children can make decorations to take home in the Visitors Gallery.
Souper Bowl of Caring January 12 - February 5, 2012 Participating H-E-Bs, Randalls and Central Markets The Souper Bowl of Caring (SBOC) is a national youth-led movement of schools, congregations, community organizations and compassionate individuals joining together to fight hunger and poverty in their local communities, transforming the time around the Super Bowl into the nation’s largest celebration of giving and serving. Be sure to get involved and support the largest youth-led food drive in Central Texas. Visit: www.austinfoodbank.org/souperbowl For a complete list of upcoming events, visit austinfoodbank.org/events
Central Texas For more information and ways you can help, visit austinfoodbank.org/wildfirerelief
In early September, Central Texas suffered from numerous wildfires that burned thousands of acres and forced many FEMA and other disaster relief agencies to coordinate and continue disaster relief efforts. These efforts will continue these devastating wildfires, more than 318,000 pounds of food and $114,000 were donated. With your financial donati could be as swift and thorough as possible. Thank you so much for your support!
Robert and Linda Rowe lost everything in one of the Central Texas wildfires. Linda says she wasn’t feeling well and was laying down on the couch when she heard her neighbor screaming outside. She went outside to see about the commotion. Her neighbor said there was a fire less than a block away, and it was headed their direction. They sprang into action and immediately called 9-1-1. Robert began watering the trees with a garden hose while Linda gathered their medicine, car title, a photo of Robert’s father and grandmother, and all their crosses from the house. Together, they climbed in their truck along with their five large dogs and a bird, and fled to safety. “I didn’t even pack a change of clothes,” Linda said sadly as she looked down at what she’d been wearing for two days. Robert and Linda found shelter at their son’s house, but it’s a tight squeeze for all of them (and the animals) in the one bedroom trailer where he, his wife and infant live. When they went back to survey the damage, they found their trailer burned to the ground. There was nothing left. Robert and Linda were facing difficult times even before the fire. Several years ago, Robert had a blood clot in his brain that left him without a short term memory. He also developed an esophagus disorder that poisons the brain (due to back up in his esophagus). He’s had one brain surgery, three esophageal surgeries and plenty of procedures in between. Linda explains that the short term memory loss frustrates him. He used to be a master carpenter and worked building frames for houses, but because of his current condition, he can’t work. Linda’s not doing so great, either. She suffers from Hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, arthritis in her knee and back, high blood pressure, heart problems and kidney disease. She used to work as a home health care nurse, but the woman she was caring for passed away.
Learn how you can help at austinfoodbank.org
Wildfire Relief
of our friends and neighbors from their homes. We’re working closely with the American Red Cross of Central Texas, e for many months to help support the thousands of people displaced by the fires. In the first month of responding to ions, we’ve been able to purchase additional food, rent additional distribution trucks and hire drivers so our relief efforts
It was about this time that Robert’s health started to decline, and since she had limited transportation, she decided to stay home and care for him. She says she’s trying to get on disability – she even has an advocate – but right now they rely on Robert’s disability – about $700 a month.
As you might imagine, Linda and Robert spend a good portion of their fixed income on medicine. He’s on five different medicines, and Linda takes eight. They add up, and they can’t afford to not take them. Robert is on Medicare and Linda receives help from the Medical Assistance Program (MAP), but they still have to pay a large amount out of pocket. Thankfully, the Rowes receive $167 in food stamps each month. But, Linda says that it only lasts about a week.
“
I didn’t even pack a change of clothes... We appreciate the help so much. God bless you.
”
- Linda Rowe
The Rowes found help at the Helping Hands Crisis Center of Spicewood (a Food Bank Partner Agency). They have been long-times clients, but now, at their lowest point, they are incredibly thankful. Here, they receive bags full of nutritious groceries and fresh food to sustain them during these difficult times. They are so grateful for the people who help make places like this happen.
Thank You CAFB continues to be impressed with the rapid response of our Central Texas community. We’ve received support through food and funds, and would like to say a special “Thank you” to the following partners: HealthTronics, Sonic, Fox7 News, Clear Channel Communications, Sam’s Club, and Garber Family Foundation. The support of these partners and all who contributed in the wake of this local disaster is critical to our success. For more information and ways you can help in the long-term recovery effort, visit: www.austinfoodbank.org/how-to-help
Our mission: to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger.
CAFB Board of Directors Matt Dow, Chairperson, Jackson Walker, L.L.P. Mark Downing, Vice Chairperson, Silicon Laboratories Catherine P. Thompson, Treasurer, Motion Computing Vanessa Downey-Little, Secretary, City of Austin, Retired Michael J. Tomsu, Immediate Past Chairperson, Vinson & Elkins Melissa Anthony, AnthonyBarnum Public Relations
message from the President & CEO
The recent census information released earlier this fall confirmed something we’ve known for a long time here at the Food Bank — poverty in our country is the highest it has been since the Census Bureau began collecting data 52 years ago, and more of our friends and neighbors are struggling to put food on their tables. The statistics are appalling as 400,000 Central Texans are at risk of hunger daily; including 1 in 4 children.
Heidi Baschnagel, National Instruments John Cyrier, Sabre Commercial, Inc. Ken Gladish, Ph.D., Seton Foundations Deborah Kerr, Ph.D., Consultant Melissa Mitchell, Ernst & Young David Montoya, University of Texas School of Law Joyce Mullen, Dell Sue Snyder, Jackson Walker, L.L.P. Paula Soileau, American Heart Association Sheldy Starkes, MBA, PMP, Booker, Starkes & Patodia, Inc. Leslie Sweet, H-E-B Jason Thurman, PlainsCapital Bank
Feedback? Questions, comments, suggestions? Change of address? Receiving duplicate copies? Email: communications@austinfoodbank.org
Read it online Download & subscribe to CAFB publications at austinfoodbank.org
You may be surprised to see the face of hunger, today. They include the elderly couple living on the next block on a fixed income; the family with one recently laid-off spouse looking to find another job; some of the children in your child’s third grade class. They are there in front of you everyday, hidden in plain view. Utility bills fueled by a record-breaking summer, gas prices, the cost of medications and increases in food prices, are all combining to squeeze pocketbooks and force individuals and families to make tough choices between paying the bills and feeding themselves and their families. Hunger is unacceptable. No one should be hungry, here, in perhaps the richest country on the planet. We have enough food available; the issue is too many of our fellow citizens cannot access that food because of a lack of disposable income. A lost job, an unfortunate accident, natural disasters like the wildfires, and medical emergencies are just some of the ways our friends and neighbors find themselves in a situation where very quickly, their pantry is bare. As an ex-CFO, I know the numbers don’t lie, and with the Food Bank distributing 50 percent more food than it was just three years ago, I don’t need the census data to tell me something is very wrong. So this holiday season, if you believe hunger is unacceptable, please continue to support the Food Bank. We have a committed board and staff, passionate about ending hunger in our community. We can do something about it and turn the census data around. Because behind the numbers, there are people. And people count.
Subscribe to our blog blog.austinfoodbank.org
Subscribe to our podcast austinfoodbank.org/stories
Connect with us on @events4good @CAFBTX
HANK PERRET President & CEO
Highest charity rating
A member of The Capital Area Food Bank of Texas 8201 S. Congress Avenue Austin, Texas 78745
|
(512) 282-2111