Get Help in Blanco County on Wednesday
The American Red Cross, Central Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) and Blanco County are facilitating a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, June 3, at the old courthouse, 301 Main St. Representatives from nonprofit and government agencies will be available to assist residents with their recovery including those who may qualify for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance. The Capital Area Food Bank will be on site Wednesday to distribute emergency food boxes. Emergency food boxes contain 25 pounds of non-perishable, ready-to-eat meals and snacks for a family of four.
Thank you for your support.
Thanks to your financial gifts and our volunteers, more than 70,000 pounds of emergency supplies have been provided to affected areas. We've received more than 90,000 pounds resources that are ready to be distributed at the appropriate time. A special thank you goes to Anheuser-Busch, Walmart and Kellog's for donating water and food during this critical time and to the media for spreading the word about how we best need your help. Your donations year-long ensure we can respond quickly to emergencies and we greatly appreciate your support.
What we need today while help is on the way.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared 70 counties under the state disaster declaration. Central Texas counties covered by the governor's declaration include Bastrop, Blanco, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Milam, Travis and Williamson. Individual assistance from the government is available in Hays County now that President Obama signed a federal disaster declaration for that area. For the Food Bank, disaster relief work is just beginning to ramp up and we are preparing for the long tail of support families will need. Giving City Austin does a good job explaining about the three phases of disaster relief and why long term support is so needed.
Volunteers are needed to help prevent a bottleneck of donations in our warehouse during the upcoming months of disaster relief. Sign up to volunteer at mobile food pantries and in our warehouse throughout the summer. Adult volunteers are especially needed.
Consider making a donation online this summer during our busy season. Affected families with children are coping with the loss of free and reduced-price school meals during the summer as well as rebuilding their lives. Your gift will go twice as far, thanks to a matching gift challenge by the Stumberg Family and WM Medical Consultants LLC. Today, every $1 donated provides six meals! Donate online.
