AUSTIN — A mobile pantry pilot program will start providing food assistance to veterans at VA medical centers across Central Texas, officials announced Friday.
The Central Texas Food Bank, which serves 21 counties, including Bell, is partnering with the Temple-based Central Texas Veterans Health Care System to operate a Veterans Pantry Pilot Mobile Food Pantry.
The pantry will debut at the Austin VA Outpatient Clinic, 7901 Metropolis Drive.
By taking food directly to clients, officials said, mobile food pantries will fill geographic and service gaps in food assistance by providing those in need with basic staples, fruits and vegetables.
Last year, the Central Texas Food Bank’s mobile pantry provided a total of 2,495,248 pounds of food to 56,191 households throughout its service area.
An estimated 25 percent of households served by the Central Texas Food Bank report that someone in their household has served in the U.S. armed forces or as a member of the military Reserve or National Guard.
“We are so proud to be a part of this program that serves America’s veterans,” said Derrick Chubbs, president and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank. “It’s an honor to be able to give back to those who have given so much to this country and we thank Feeding America and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for working with us to make this program a reality.”
Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization with a network of 200 food banks, developed the partnership with the VA to help men and women who have served this country.
The Central Texas Food Bank conducted its first mobile pantry food distribution at the Austin VA in August, serving 178 clients in need.
“The Food Pantry is a resource for veterans in need of access to food,” said Dr. Olawale O. Fashina, chief of staff for the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, “this partnership shows the commitment Central Texas has for taking care of Veterans.”
To build capacity and ensure success of the VPP program, Feeding America and the VA host joint meetings with all VPP participants to support local partnerships and gather key learnings.
Currently, 10 VPP sites are active, with additional pantries going live by the end of the year.
The Central Texas Food Bank’s VPP Mobile Food Pantry is held the fourth Thursday of each month, from 9-11 a.m. The next food distribution is scheduled for Tuesday.
