Mission Marble Falls uses all resources possible to serve Highland Lakes needy

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

Serving the region’s hungry can be a daunting task, especially in the midst of the holiday season. That’s exactly why organizations like Mission Marble Falls have learned to make use of all resources, much like the folks they help.

Mission Marble Falls is one of many charitable organizations in the Highland Lakes that help the needy. The abundant deer population in the region, especially in Horseshoe Bay, also has led to a boon for people served.

Every year hundreds of deer are trapped and removed from the city in an effort to control its deer herd. The deer are slaughtered and packaged at Trinity Oaks, a 501(c)(3) organization in San Antonio that then distributes the venison burger to other nonprofits in the Austin and San Antonio regions. 

The lunches on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Mission Marble Falls often include venison, as steak and in spaghetti and meatloaf, just to start with.

“We try to be as inventive as possible,” said Tina McClain, co-founder of the nonprofit with friends from church Chris Bean and Grant Dean.

“We don’t serve hamburger often because we try to be as healthy as possible; this is often their only meal of the day,” McClain said, adding the organization uses donations of chicken, tuna and veggies to make its lunches.

In less than a year, the organization has served 5,500 meals to area homeless. February 2015 will be the organization’s one-year anniversary.

The St. Fredrick Baptist Church members struck a deal with church leadership to complete construction on its kitchen in return for being able to use the area for Mission Marble Falls. Homeless people often walk to the church for lunch, McClain said.

Of course, Mission Marble Falls is a relative newcomer to serving the needy; the Helping Center in Marble Falls and Joseph’s Food Pantry in Granite Shoals have both been in the area longer.

“We all help each other out,” McClain said. “If the Helping Center or Joseph’s Pantry has too much of something, they’ll send it along to us and we do the same.”  Even soup kitchens in Austin send their extras to Mission Marble Falls.

McClain works for Escondido Golf and Lake Club in Horseshoe Bay, whose chefs have donated their time toward the cause.

She said the organization is in need of volunteers “most of all.”

Meals are served at the church, located at 301 Avenue N, Marble Falls. Food donations can be dropped off at the church, and financial donations can be made at Grand Bank of Texas, P.O. Box 4267, Horseshoe Bay. For information about volunteering, contact Jeanine Osborne, 512-914-0002, or at jeanineosborne@aol.com.