Food Resources

SNAP benefits may be suspended beginning tomorrow. Along with many of you, we’re watching the news and hoping our communities are spared this additional hardship. More than 11% of Texas families rely on SNAP to meet their basic needs.

If it happens, we’ll be ready. Here are three things PTAs can do:

1. Share information with your school community about available food resources. Here are two great sources from AISD that cover the whole district: Food Service Resources and Food Distribution Sites.

2. Donate to Austin Ed Fund’s Crisis Fund, which goes directly to support families’ basic needs.

3. Hold a food drive on your campus.

Food insecurity is real, and it happens at every school. Let’s be there for our communities when they need it most.

1. Identify the Need: Work with your PSS or school administration to estimate how many families could use support and what foods are most helpful (nonperishables, easy-to-prepare items, etc.). Consider also household items like toiletries, diapers, and cleaning products.

2. Set Dates and Goals: Choose a collection period (approx 1 week) and decide whether you’ll make food boxes or set up a “shopping” day where families can choose what they need.

3. Recruit Volunteers: Decide how many volunteers you will need to sort and distribute food, and start sign-ups.

4. Spread the Word: Let the school community and the neighborhood know what items to bring and where to drop them off. Share the needs and emphasize community support.

5. Collect and Sort: Place clearly labeled bins in high-traffic areas. Have volunteers check donations regularly and organize them by type (canned goods, grains, snacks, etc.).

6. Distribute Respectfully: Coordinate discreet pickup or delivery with PSS or others. Consider setting up a private pickup time or packing boxes anonymously.

7. Show Gratitude: Thank everyone who gave and everyone who helped distribute. Share a simple update like “Together, we supported 20 school families this month!”

This guide from AARP has more detailed suggestions, and includes info about partnering with an organization if that makes more sense for your campus than distributing supplies yourself.

Check out these example flyers from Blanton and Travis Heights Elementary Schools to see how some schools are putting it together.

Partnering with external organizations can also be a great way to make an impact. Cowan Elementary organizes food drives and volunteers for Lovepacs. Lovepacs support students with food over the breaks when free school lunches are not available. The food is tailored to be meals that kids can prepare themselves with simple guidance. Lively Middle School partners with Hungry Souls and, for Thanksgiving meals, Hands4Hope. They also organize neighborhood parents to donate HEB gift cards.

In whatever way makes sense for you, thank you for being there for your communities when they need you the most!