In April, TLLC’s Mary-Martha Fellowship group toured the Central Texas Food Bank. CTFB’s Director of Engagement, Jace Balbach, led us on a tour of their 135,000 square-foot building.
Jace explained that CTFB serves 21 counties in Central Texas and is a member of the Feeding America network. Much of their food comes from big grocery stores and is mostly donated, but sometimes purchased. CTFB also receives food from the USDA and local food drives.
The Central Texas Food Bank is a huge operation with 150 paid staff, 8,000-10,000 volunteers per year, and 250 partner agencies. Two local food pantries that Triumphant Love supports—Bread for All and Micah 6—purchase much of their food from CTFB at very reduced rates (sometimes free). Meals on Wheels Central Texas (TLLC members staff two routes per week) is also a partner agency.
Our group walked through two gigantic refrigerated rooms for storing dairy, vegetables, and fruits. These rooms were so cold that everyone voted to skip touring the freezer room.
CTFB has a commercial kitchen which prepares an average of 3,000 meals per day for school children. These meals supplement school lunch programs, especially during the summer months.
Onsite social workers are available to assist with SNAP applications and renewals. A small onsite pantry provides emergency food provisions to those who visit the facility. The fresh produce from their impressive outdoor garden is also distributed to those in need.