Volunteer with the Hays County Food Bank to help feed families

By Brianna Blowers

Hays County Food Bank is a nonprofit organization that has been in business since 1984 thanks to a group of concerned citizens. Their mission has been to bring food to people in need. The Food Bank has distributed over half a million pounds of food just last year alone. With the number of families needing food growing, the need for volunteers is also increasing.

The Food Bank encourages people to help in any way they can. Community Relations Coordinator Jane Moore spreads the word to newspapers and various nearby businesses in hopes that “their businesses will provide volunteers or opportunities for us to share information of what [the food bank] needs.”

Official Hays County Food Bank Internship Flyers

There are many ways to show support, even for people with the busiest lifestyles. Tweeting about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities or “liking” Hays County Food Bank on Facebook are quick and easy ways to spread the word virally. 

Back up van drivers are needed along with people who are willing to answer the phone, meet visitors, and process thank you notes for an hour or two a day, every little bit counts.

The application process to become a regular volunteer is “short and simple,” says Volunteer Coordinator Nicole George. This includes a 30-minute orientation to show how the Food Bank works followed by signing up for volunteer hours. The Food Bank keeps track of the hours.

“We have regular volunteers and we also accept community service volunteers, said George. “We do appreciation events to recognize [the volunteers] for their contribution.”

The Hays County Food bank picks up donations from HEB stores in San Marcos, Kyle and Buda along with various other restaurants in town.

“Contributions from HEB have just grown enormously”, said Moore, “including the amount we get and the number of days we can pick it up.” The Hays County Food bank picks up donations from HEB stores in San Marcos, Kyle and Buda 7 days a week.

“Our office is open from Monday through Friday, but on the weekends we have a Weekend Crew Leader, Eric Lundquist, who picks up from HEB on Saturday and Sunday morning,” said Donor Development Coordinator Lisa Henggeler.