Olson Legacy Foundation partners with food banks to fight summer hunger

By ISIS AIDE REYES

The Georgetown-based Anna+Anton Olson Legacy Foundation has launched a new April initiative that targets food insecurity across Williamson County. 

The “Feeding Your Neighbors Challenge” strives to meet the demand students and their families face during the summertime.

“Students typically get free lunch from school programs, so  in the summer there’s an increase in demands because they no longer get that,” said Larry Olson, chair and CEO of the foundation. 

The foundation, which Mr. Olson named after his grandparents, supports nonprofits in Central Texas communities with an annual grant program and other year-round donations and collaborations to grow the resources they offer.

The new challenge, which will run through April, is designed to raise public awareness on food insecurity within the communities. The foundation is giving $5,000 each to four nonprofits, and the challenge encourages public donations, with the goal of matching or exceeding the foundation’s contributions.

Participating nonprofits include: 

• The Caring Place (Georgetown)
• Hutto Resource Center (Hutto)
• Agape Food Pantry (Taylor)
• Shepherd’s Heart (Taylor)

All donations will go directly to these nonprofits, which were selected based on a competitive application process, according to Mr. Olson  

“This is about neighbors helping neighbors,” Mr. Olson said. “By providing funding to our food pantry partners, we hope to inspire the broader community to match or exceed our investment. We can prepare for the summer demand and ensure that children and families have reliable access to nutritious food.”

In Williamson County, about 12.5 percent of people and 18 percent of children experience hunger daily, according to the Central Texas Food Bank. 

“While there are some summer meal programs offered through some of the school districts, it still leaves a gap that the food pantries are helping to build for those families and students,” said Paige Woolery, the Olson Foundation’s director of community impact. 

To learn more about the Feeding Your Neighbors Challenge or to donate directly to a participating Partner, visit www.anna-anton.org.

The Caring Place  

The Caring Place has been in the Georgetown community since 1985. Its food pantry is the nonprofit’s biggest program. Other resources include their thrift store, financial assistance and support programs. 

Its food pantry allows for people to go in once a month, giving them a chance to select frozen proteins, canned products, fresh vegetables and hygiene items. 

“The average amount of food per family right now is 70 pounds,” said Erin Becnel, The Caring Place’s programs and services director. “On average if purchased in a grocery store that would be $200. Now that could be saved for the family, which then could be used to pay rent or a utility bill.”

The nonprofit has previously worked with the Olson Foundation before this challenge, Ms. Becnel said.

“They’re very generous and have supported us,” Ms. Becnel said. “We’re really excited to work with them. It's a way for the community to reach out and re-educate people on needs.”

The Caring Place plans to use social media as a way to communicate to the public about the overall challenge and inform people about the resources they offer.

Donations The Caring Place could use the most include canned soups and full-sized hygiene bottles like shampoo, toothpaste and lotion. To learn more, go to www.caringplacetx.org. 

Hutto Resource Center

The Hutto Resource Center, operating behind Hutto Lutheran Church at 204 East Live Oak Street, offers bi-weekly food distributions and grocery delivery to homebound seniors and families. Financial assistance programs and also offered. 

Sandy Brockwell is the nonprofit’s new executive director. 

“I’m learning all about what the food banter is about,” Ms. Brockwell said. “What we are doing here and who we’re serving makes this Feeding Your Neighbors Challenge great for us.

“Not too long ago, we were serving 60 households every Saturday. By the time I got here, it had increased to 120-150 households. It’s interesting understanding how Hutto is growing, but also knowing that while the population grows, the need follows.”

Ms. Brockwell said the Olson Legacy Foundation challenge opened a new perspective on food insecurity she hadn’t thought about. 

“Having partners like the Olson Foundation is truly amazing,” Ms. Brockwell said. “Larry wants to make sure kids are having their needs met and make sure local food pantries have what they need for these kids during the summertime.”

Donations that help the most include snacks like granola bars, canned food (Chef Boyardee), canned soups, mac and cheese, and breakfast items. Visit https://huttoresourcecenter.org/food-pantry for more information. 

Agape Food Pantry

Agape Food Pantry at Oasis Church Taylor mainly offers its food pantry as a resource to the Taylor community. For this challenge, Agape is set to distribute 20 pounds of food to each family who have children from K to 12th grade. Food boxes will include “kid items” such as cereal, mac and cheese and jelly. 

“We’re excited to be partnering up with the Anna+Anton Olson Legacy Foundation,” said Kristi Flores, a board member on the nonprofit. “They’re going to help restock and serve our community.”

Agape’s food distributions are on the first and third Friday of every month. Families with children receive up to 40 pounds of food per distribution day they attend. 

Ms. Flores says the percentage of families that have food insecurities rises from winter to summer. 

“Our big thing with this challenge is to be able to support the kids and pantry,” Ms. Flores said. “We are seeking community partners and donors who are passionate to make a difference.”

The nonprofit is determined to make the public aware of the challenge, hoping to meet the $5,000 goal by the end of April. 

“We want to be able to meet the goal specifically and get these boxes to the kids,” Ms. Flores said.

Boxes of cereal, Jell-O’s and fruit cups are in high demand. 

Shepherd’s Heart 

Shepherd's Heart Food Pantry & Thrift Shop serves the Taylor community, offering resources like food, clothing and shelter, while promoting their faith and advocating for hope and help. 

The nonprofit distributes food to seniors, families, unhoused residents and the homebound. It also offers other resources and financial assistance.

The nonprofit is located in downtown Taylor at 121 East Second Street.

“Shepherd's Heart Food Pantry & Community Ministries strives to be a place of hope and healing where individuals come to receive assistance to meet their basic needs for food, clothing, and emergency shelter; hear about the abundant life found in Christ; and be touched by the Good Shepherd while finding practical help for today, faith for tomorrow, and love that's eternal,” according to the nonprofit’s vision statement. 

More information can be found at www.shepherdshearttaylor.org.