Hunger Alliance coordinates summer food programs
By Savanna Gregg
The Highlander
Hunger has been a significant issue across the country for ages, and the problem is becoming more prominent in Burnet County.
Eighty-five percent of families in the area live at or below the poverty level; that is a number no community wants to see. The Burnet County Hunger Alliance (BCHA) is set on making a change to this statistic, spending hours of their free time making a difference in a side of the community of which many are unfamiliar.
After the school year, students in BCISD and Marble Falls ISD are offered free meals throughout the summer, though many families are unable to transport their kids to the campuses to take advantage of them.
“When kids are out of school for the summer time, there is not as much availability to lunches as there is during the school year,” said BCHA member Kathy Nicholl. “This year, we came up with a plan to see more food given to the kids in the summer time; we are working with both school districts to prepare meals and deliver them to different locations.”
Instead of being offered lunches only at the Burnet and Marble Falls campuses, children 18 and under will be provided free, wholesome meals in multiple locations throughout Burnet County all summer.
“We've done the feeding program in the past, but not as many kids were able to come for various reasons,” said BCHA member Shaunna Thrane. “We figured that if we can't get the kids to come to the food, we would need to get the food to the kids.”
“We are hoping that since they are in close and secure locations and people are aware it is a safe place, they will let kids come and participate and spend time with other kids,” Nicholl added.
The BCHA consists of BCISD and MFISD, and other non-profit organizations, businesses, churches, community representatives, and individual volunteers who share ideas and work together to help end hunger in the area.
“These folks work really long and hard to make sure our kids are fed,” Thrane said.
The two school districts and Meals on Wheels will be preparing meals and delivering them to the various locations, including LACare in Burnet, Hoover Valley VFD, the Boys and Girls Clubs in Marble Falls and Burnet, and other places throughout Burnet County.
Some of the locations serving food to children offer more than just lunch. At RJ Richey Elementary in Burnet, kids may walk up and order food at “The Eatery,” just like they would at a restaurant, and once they finish their meals, are able to play on the playscapes at the school and enjoy social time with classmates they may not otherwise have a chance to see during the summer.
“The Boys and Girls Club is also partnering with First Baptist Church of Granite Shoals,” Nicholl said. “They will be hosting a mini Boys and Girls Club program at the church from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, throughout the summer. The kids will get to do activities like those at the Boys and Girls Club and enjoy their meal provided by the school district.”
With children's safety and wellbeing in mind, the BCHA is hopeful about the outcome of this program.
“Our mission is to end hunger throughout all of Burnet County,” said BCHA member Pam Rodgers.
According to the BCHA members, they are in need of more volunteers for the Burnet area. They ask anyone interested in delivering food to, and serving at various locations to visit signup.com/go/whDtdzU and choose a location, date, and time.
For more information on the Burnet County Hunger Alliance, email info@burnetcountyhungeralliance.org.
For a full list of BCHA times/locations, view the additional information below:
BURNET
Monday
LaCare Food Pantry – 507 Buchanan Dr., Burnet. 2:00 – 5:00 p.m., June 1 – June 30. 512-756-4422
First Christian Church – 204 E. Graves, Burnet. Community Meal served 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. 512-756-2233
RJ Richey Elementary School – 500 E. Graves St., Burnet. 11:00 – 11:30 a.m., May 29 – August 17.
Burnet Boys and Girls Club (membership not required) – 709 Northington, Burnet. Meal served 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. 512-756-1444
Hoover Valley VFD – 303 CR 118B, Burnet. 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 512-756-4216
Meals on Wheels Delivery – 512-715-9717
Tuesday
LaCare Food Pantry – 507 Buchanan Dr., Burnet. 2:00 – 5:00 p.m., June 1 – June 30. 512-756-4422
First Christian Church – 204 E. Graves, Burnet. Community Meal served 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. 512-756-2233
RJ Richey Elementary School – 500 E. Graves St., Burnet. 11:00 – 11:30 a.m., May 29 – August 17.
Burnet Boys and Girls Club (membership not required) – 709 Northington, Burnet. Meal served 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. 512-756-1444
Hoover Valley VFD – 303 CR 118B, Burnet. 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 512-756-4216
Meals on Wheels Delivery – 512-715-9717
Wednesday
LaCare Food Pantry – 507 Buchanan Dr., Burnet. 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., June 1 – June 30. 512-756-4422
Bertram Food Pantry – 520 E. Hwy 29, Bertram. 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
RJ Richey Elementary School – 500 E. Graves St., Burnet. 11:00 – 11:30 a.m., May 29 – August 17.
Burnet Boys and Girls Club (membership not required) – 709 Northington, Burnet. Meal served 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. 512-756-1444
Hoover Valley VFD – 303 CR 118B, Burnet. 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 512-756-4216
Meals on Wheels Delivery – 512-715-9717
Thursday
Vanderveer Church of Christ – 102 S. Vanderveer, Burnet. Community Meal served 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. 512-756-2253
RJ Richey Elementary School – 500 E. Graves St., Burnet. 11:00 – 11:30 a.m., May 29 – August 17.
Burnet Boys and Girls Club (membership not required) – 709 Northington, Burnet. Meal served 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. 512-756-1444
Hoover Valley VFD – 303 CR 118B, Burnet. 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 512-756-4216
Meals on Wheels Delivery – 512-715-9717
Friday
LaCare Food Pantry – 507 Buchanan Dr., Burnet. 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 512-756-4422
RJ Richey Elementary School – 500 E. Graves St., Burnet. 11:00 – 11:30 a.m., May 29 – August 17.
Burnet Boys and Girls Club (membership not required) – 709 Northington, Burnet. Meal served 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. 512-756-1444
Hoover Valley VFD – 303 CR 118B, Burnet. 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 512-756-4216
Meals on Wheels Delivery – 512-715-9717
Saturday (2nd and 4th Saturdays)
Briggs Food Pantry – 505 E. Loop 308, Briggs. 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
MARBLE FALLS
Sunday
Church of Christ Food Pantry – 805 E. Ave. G, Marble Falls. 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. 830-798-9241
Monday
Helping Center Food Pantry – 1315 Broadway, Marble Falls. 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 830-693-5689
Marble Falls Boys and Girls Club – 1701 Broadway, Marble Falls. 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. 512-715-9517
Mission Marble Falls – 301 Ave. N, Marble Falls. Community Meal served 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 830-693-4499
First Baptist Church – 505 S. Phillips Ranch Rd., Granite Shoals. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 830-598-5214
Grace United Methodist Church – 4007 CR 416, Granite Shoals. 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 830-598-7794
Meals on Wheels Delivery – 512-715-9717
Tuesday
Joseph's Food Pantry – 706 N. Phillips Ranch Rd., Granite Shoals. 2:00 – 5:00 p.m., 1st, 2nd, 3rd Tuesday. 830-220-2344
First Baptist Church Food Pantry – 601 12th St., Marble Falls. 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. 830-265-8728
Helping Center Food Pantry – 1315 Broadway, Marble Falls. 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 830-693-5689
Marble Falls Boys and Girls Club – 1701 Broadway, Marble Falls. 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. 512-715-9517
Mission Marble Falls – 301 Ave. N, Marble Falls. Community Meal served 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 830-693-4499
First Baptist Church – 505 S. Phillips Ranch Rd., Granite Shoals. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 830-598-5214
Grace United Methodist Church – 4007 CR 416, Granite Shoals. 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 830-598-7794
Meals on Wheels Delivery – 512-715-9717
Wednesday
Marble Falls Church of Christ – 711 Broadway, Marble Falls. Community meal served 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. 830-693-5575
Church of Christ Food Pantry – 805 Ave. G, Marble Falls. 7:45 – 9:00 p.m. 830-798-9241
Mission Marble Falls – 301 Ave. N, Marble Falls. Community Meal served 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 830-693-4499
Helping Center Food Pantry – 1315 Broadway, Marble Falls. 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 830-693-5689
Marble Falls Boys and Girls Club – 1701 Broadway, Marble Falls. 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. 512-715-9517
Mission Marble Falls – 301 Ave. N, Marble Falls. Community Meal served 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 830-693-4499
First Baptist Church – 505 S. Phillips Ranch Rd., Granite Shoals. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 830-598-5214
Grace United Methodist Church – 4007 CR 416, Granite Shoals. 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 830-598-7794
Meals on Wheels Delivery – 512-715-9717
Thursday
Church of Christ Food Pantry – 805 Ave. G, Marble Falls. 830-798-9241. 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. 830-798-9824
St. John's Catholic Church – 105 FM 1431, Marble Falls. Community meal served 3rd Thursdays. 830-693-5134
Harvest of Love Food Pantry – 6642 W. FM 1431, Granite Shoals. 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., last Thursday. 830-598-6656
Mission Marble Falls – 301 Ave. N, Marble Falls. Community Meal served 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 830-693-4499
First Baptist Church Food Pantry – 601 12th St., Marble Falls. 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. 830-265-8728
Friday
Helping Center Food Pantry – 1315 Broadway, Marble Falls. 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 830-693-5689
Marble Falls Boys and Girls Club – 1701 Broadway, Marble Falls. 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. 512-715-9517
Mission Marble Falls – 301 Ave. N, Marble Falls. Community Meal served 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 830-693-4499
First Baptist Church – 505 S. Phillips Ranch Rd., Granite Shoals. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 830-598-5214
Grace United Methodist Church – 4007 CR 416, Granite Shoals. 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 830-598-7794
Meals on Wheels Delivery – 512-715-9717
Saturday
Mission Outreach Marble Falls – 301 Ave. N, Marble Falls. Community meal served 11:30 – 1:00 p.m. 830-693-4499
