FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22, 2005
Media Contact:
Sunny Kim, Caritas of Austin
512-479-4610 ext. 227
skim[at]caritasofaustin.org

CARITAS NEEDS YOUR HELP
FILLING BARE PANTRY SHELVES

Volunteers Urged to Host Food Drives
for Hungry Families

(Austin, TX) – The Caritas Community Kitchen and Pantry urgently need volunteers from organizations and businesses to host food drives to fill bare pantry shelves.

The Pantry provides take-home groceries for clients struggling to feed their families and put food on their tables. This year, the Pantry will serve 3,000 take-home supplies of groceries for the hungry families. The Community Kitchen will serve 93,000 meals this year and relies heavily on donated food for the hot meals served five times a week.

Caritas’ Fall Food Drive kicks-off on September 6 and continues through December 30, 2005.

“We depend on the generosity of the community to keep our Pantry shelves filled throughout the year,” said Adelita Winchester, Caritas’ Basic Needs Department Director. “We can only serve as many families as there are groceries. The Fall Food Drive is crucial to making sure that the Pantry’s shelves are stocked and that we are able to feed the hungry families who aren’t sure where their next meal is coming from.”

Caritas asks for canned, dried, boxed and non-perishable food, hygiene and toiletry items. Caritas urges individuals and groups at schools, companies, small businesses, faith-based organizations and civic groups to collect the donations.

To schedule a Caritas Fall Food Drive for your business or organization, please contact Caritas volunteer coordinator Molly Sipe at 512-479-4610 ext. 121 or msipe@caritasofaustin.org.

Since 1964, Caritas has assisted with basic needs such as food, rent and utilities and helped clients learn the skills they need to gain self-reliance. Demand for food services at Caritas has skyrocketed. This year, the Community Kitchen will serve over 93,000 meals, and the Pantry will provide 3,200 take-home supplies of groceries to hungry client families. Caritas is Travis County’s largest source of non-governmental assistance. “Caritas” is from the Latin word for love, and in this spirit, anyone with a legitimate need is eligible to receive help. 

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Find out more on how you can host your own food drive