Food Insecurity

Volunteers at the Madella Hilliard Senior Center, 803 West Eighth Street, pack meals and vacuum seal them for lunchtime delivery for Meals on Wheels. (Photo by Kaitlyn Wilkes)

Volunteers at the Madella Hilliard Senior Center, 803 West Eighth Street, pack meals and vacuum seal them for lunchtime delivery for Meals on Wheels. (Photo by Kaitlyn Wilkes)

Nonprofits see rise in food insecurity, requests for additional financial support

The number of people served through The Caring Place’s food pantry has been steadily increasing throughout the year, according to Erin Becnel, the nonprofit’s programs and services director, and they’ve been seeing a record number of people in recent months.
Randell Dlouhy, left, makes way for food items he was collecting for several friends at Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry on Saturday, March 28, 2026.  Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry and Thrift Shop, at 121 East 2nd Street, was founded by Executive Director Loretta Masters in 1994.  The group distributes food several times a week.  In 2025 Shepherd’s Heart averaged 2,110 distributions a month.    Photo by  Andy Sharp.

Randell Dlouhy, left, makes way for food items he was collecting for several friends at Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry and Thrift Shop, at 121 East 2nd Street, was founded by Executive Director Loretta Masters in 1994. The group distributes food several times a week. In 2025 Shepherd’s Heart averaged 2,110 distributions a month. Photo by Andy Sharp.

Olson Legacy Foundation partners with food banks to fight summer hunger

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