As a nation, we observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day, prompting a thoughtful reflection on his vision for a compassionate and just society. In keeping with the spirit of Dr. King's enduring legacy, the Central Texas Food Bank actively exemplified the principles of service and community support in areas beyond our mission to end hunger. In addition to our annual Week of Service, where our dedicated staff invest time serving various local nonprofits throughout the week, our team swiftly mobilized during a winter weather event to ensure our community remained nourished.
Our commitment to uplifting the community and fostering a spirit of unity, much like Dr. King, remains steadfast.
Dr. King believed that access to food is a human right, and the mission of the Food Bank is to make that belief a reality. He famously stated: “I have the audacity to believe that people everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits.” The 21 counties the Food Bank serves in Central Texas are grappling with an unprecedented level of food insecurity, reflecting the heightened demand experienced during the pandemic. We are currently serving more than 400,000 people each month. Our efforts echo Dr. King’s sentiment and life-long work by addressing the needs of our community and striving towards a more equitable society.
This year on MLK Day, Central Texas experienced a rush of winter weather leaving many without the necessities to get by comfortably. In the true spirit of service, the Food Bank responded by swiftly mobilizing to produce and provide more than 2,000 nourishing meals throughout the week at warming shelters across the City of Austin. The weather resulted in many cancellations for volunteer shifts at the Food Bank but our team stepped up to make sure our neighbors had what they needed.
In the midst of the hectic winter storm and shift in priorities to support the pressing needs of our neighbors, our staff still found time to go out into our local community and foster the Food Bank’s culture of service in celebration of the life and work of Dr. King. Groups of food bankers spent time mulching trees with the Austin Parks Foundation, collecting eggs from the chicken coops at Mobile Loaves and Fishes and playing with rescues at Austin Pets Alive!
As said by Dr. King, “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” Community service and volunteering exemplify the importance of collective efforts to create positive change, they are indispensable. At the Central Texas Food Bank, we aim to exemplify the principles of Martin Luther King Jr. by fostering community engagement, promoting equitable food access, and ending hunger. With our commitment to the work we do on a daily basis and dedication to doing our part in our local community, we not only honor Dr. King's legacy but actively contributing to a more compassionate and just society in Central Texas.
We need passionate people like you to help. Find out about volunteer opportunities here.
