Bastrop Co. Emergency Food Pantry asking for community help to amid food shortage concerns

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry is asking for help from the community. Whether it's becoming a monthly donor or volunteering, the food pantry is doing what it can to ensure it stays ahead of food shortage concerns, the nonprofit said in a news release.

The food bank said the "growing demand, rising food prices, and looming food shortages put increasing pressure on local resources."

This comes after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) made cuts, which includes "$500 million in food purchasing programs," the food bank said.

Furthermore, the food pantry said the Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB) took a loss of $5.5 million in funding, as well as 40 food delivery cancellations. CTFB is a "key supplier for Bastrop County," the release said. That equals around 761,000 meals.

The food pantry in Bastrop County said it relies on CTFB for more 30-45% of its food supply.

The USDA's budget cuts were intended to eliminate fraud, abuse and waste, and the state does not depend on this funding to maintain a strong program, Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller previously told KXAN.

“Our rural community is facing challenges on all sides,” Executive Director of the Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry Tresha Silva said in the release. “We are not just seeing more people in need—we are seeing deeper levels of hunger as families struggle with inflation, reduced federal assistance, and now, the very real threat of food shortages this summer.”

As a way to address the concerns, the food pantry said it's "in the midst of a capital campaign to expand its food storage and distribution capacity to one million pounds of food."

"Before the pandemic, the Pantry spent approximately $14,000 annually to supplement the food supply. Last year, that cost exceeded $40,000. They need the community’s help," the release said.

Furthermore, the pantry said all donations made toward that capital campaign through July will be matched to help bring the nonprofit to raising its remaining $400,000, due to help from the Mabee Foundation.

The food pantry said the community can help in the following ways:

• Volunteer your time to help sort, pack, and distribute food
• Become a monthly donor to help offset rising food costs
• Contribute to the capital campaign to help expand storage capacity

To learn more about the nonprofit, visit the food pantry's website.