Answering the call to help the community:

Area groups and businesses are conducting food drives to help stock food bank

By Leesa Teale

LPR Publisher                     

     Seeing the increased need that the Caldwell County Food Bank is facing due to the unfunded or partially funded SNAP benefits, area groups and organizations are hosting food drives to help area food banks stock their shelves. 

    All About You Boutique and Johnny & Sons Paint and Body Shop LLC are stepping up and holding a Community Food Drive for the Caldwell County Food Bank.

     When asked why they are doing this Raquel Barron, owner of All About You Boutique explained that she and her husband Tommy wanted to help everyone in the community in some way during this difficult time.  Barron stated, “With the government funding of SNAP being on hold, we know that the food bank will see increased traffic through their doors, and we want to do what we can to help out and especially during the holiday season.”

     This is the first time that either have conducted a food drive. As with most food drives, they are collecting non-perishable & non-expired items. Suggested items for the drive include the following: canned vegetables and fruit, Soups, Pasta, Cereal, Peanut butter and other items that are shelf stable. 

     For those who choose to participate in the donation event you also will have a chance to be rewarded. For every donation, your name goes into a drawing for amazing prizes including: Gift Certificate from Chisholm Trail Barbecue, Includes a Turkey Extravaganza with sides to feed a family., Whizzerville Hall Gift Certificate, $200 Gift Card from All About You Boutique. Three winners will be announced on November 21st.

    Even though the drawing for prizes is on November 21, they pair will continue to accept donations through the end of the year as they feel it is important to continue to support the food bank through the holidays. 

    When asked if donations can be made monetarily instead of actual food, Barron said that checks can be dropped off at either location and please make them out to the Caldwell County Food Bank.

    If you would like to make a donation please stop by All About You Boutique, , 6329 FM 713, McMahan, TX during their store hours of Wednesday – Saturday, 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM or drop off at Johnny & Sons Paint and Body, 400 Blackjack, Lockhart, TX  during their shop hours of Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

     The couple appreciates everyone who has dropped off items so far and are excited to see how much they can do with your cooperation for everyone in the community. 

     With the same thought in mind to help the community, the Lockhart Little League and Caldwell County Christian Ministires Food Pantry are hositng a “Strike Out Hunger”  food drive through November. The event requests the same non-perishable items as listed above but also remembering the need for baby formula and food and diapers. They are also hosting a raffle for those who donate. If you bring in 5 items you will receive one raffle entry for a free registration. The drawing will be held on November 28th. Drop off location for this food drive is Lockhart Little League Diamond at 700 Carver St. in Lockhart. Donations will be accepted on Tuesdays from 6:30-8:30 pm and Sunday’s from 6-7:30 pm. For more information contact Amber Gutierrez at 512-804-8815. 

    Another business hosting a food drive where items will be delivered weekly to area food banks is Electric Rodeo Tattoo. Citizens are encouraged to drop off items and in turn will be entered into a $500 Gift Card drawing. Visit them in downtown Lockhart at 116 E. Market Street or call 512-668-4088 for more information. 

    Stroll on down the street to the Lockhart Chamber of Commerce and you can also drop off items at 104 E. Market to be delivered to the food bank. 

      Chisholm Trail Barbecue located at 1323 S. Colorado Street is rewarding those who bring in 2 non-perishable items during the whole month of November with a free chopped beef sandwich when they donate. 

    With the holidays approaching and the future of funding still uncertain, now is the time to support those in need with donations if you can.