Austin, TX - The Horn, KOKE-FM and 105.3 The Bat listeners and sponsors raised over $137,000 in the “Buy a Box” holiday campaign benefiting the Central Texas Food Bank. The drive kicked off Tues., Dec. 26 with Bucky Godbolt of The Horn (KTXX) and Bob Cole from KOKE-FM broadcasting across the Austin Radio Network (KTXX/KTAE, KTXX-K287FG, KOKE-FM).
Guests and supporters included Lifetime Longhorn Quan Cosby and Grammy-nominated “Musician with a Message” SaulPaul and representatives from local church congregations and advertising partners.
The “Buy a Box” holiday campaign continued through Dec. 31 with an initial goal of 1,100 $30 emergency food boxes containing 23 meals consisting of proteins, dairy, fruits, and vegetables. The drive brought in 4,588 boxes for Central Texans in need.
“It never fails, our listeners and partners come through every time," says Eric Raines, Operations Manager for Austin Radio Network. "We knew going into the holiday season this was going to be a big ask. Without hesitation they donated over $137,000. This equates to more than 4,500 emergency food boxes, over 128-thousand pounds of food, and more than 105-thousand meals. Without our listener and partner communities we couldn't make this happen. How do you properly thank those that give at a time like this? We are incredibly grateful.”
Central Texas Food Bank FAQ’s:
- Distributed 14 million more pounds of food in 2020 than in 2019.
- In November, served more than 383,000 people - - an all-time record.
- Up more than 25% from pre-pandemic days.
- Spending on food has increased from $100,000 a month to $1 million each month.
- There is still a gap of 30% of people who aren’t getting the food they need.
- $30 = 1 emergency food box = 28 pounds of food = 23 meals
“We’re so grateful to the stations of the Austin Radio Network and their listeners for coming together to raise over $137,000 to fight hunger,” said Derrick Chubbs, president & CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank. “This will help thousands of our neighbors in need as we move into the new year. The holidays may be over, but the need for food assistance is still extreme and this amazing donation total from the Buy a Box campaign will help kick off 2021 on a very positive note.”
This is the second “Buy a Box” food drive Austin Radio Network has conducted since the start of the pandemic. In total, Austin Radio Network listeners and supporters donated more than $460,000 to the Central Texas Food Bank in 2020.
###
About KOKE-FM - KOKE-FM is Austin's home for Texas country and the University of Texas Longhorn Athletics broadcast partner. KOKE-FM, an original country music Central Texas station in the 1970’s was brought back to life in 2012 as a locally owned & operated country alternative. KOKE-FM has grown from one station and one frequency, to simulcasting on two frequencies, expanding the signal to homes through the Hill Country and beyond. KOKE-FM prides itself on promoting and supporting Texas and regional artists and cultivating the classics. KOKE-FM is a sister station of sports talk The Horn 104.9-FM // 101.9-FM // AM-1260, and Classic Hits 105.3 The Bat. KOKE-FM digital properties include kokefm.com, KOKE-FM app, smart speaker skill KOKE-FM.
Twitter: @KOKEFMAUSTIN Instagram: @kokefm Facebook: KOKE-FM Austin
About KTXX/The Horn - The Horn Austin, KTXX 104.9-FM/101.9-FM/1260-AM, is the official flagship station of the University of Texas Athletics. The Horn features live and local programming Monday – Sunday and is the Austin affiliate of the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers. The Horn is also home to the Austin Radio High School Sports Network, led by Executive Sports Director Craig Way, expanding the coverage of local high school football and basketball throughout Central Texas. The Horn digital properties include hornfm.com, The Horn app, smart speaker skill The Horn Austin, and flxatx.com.
Twitter: @TheHornATX Instagram: @thehornatx Facebook: 104.9 The Horn
