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New Braunfels proclaims National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

The City of New Braunfels has declared November 17 through November 23, 2024, as National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week to raise awareness of food insecurity and homelessness in our community.

On Monday, November 18, representatives from NB Housing Partners, Crisis Center of Comal County, Salvation Army, Comal Mental Health, and the New Braunfels Food Bank accepted the proclamation.

“We are honored to accept this proclamation for recognition of National Hunger and Homelessness Week,” said NB Housing Partners executive director Kellie Stallings. “Last year, our First Footing Program had over 527 people ask for help, so I am happy that the city recognizes that homelessness and food insecurity affect so many in our community. No one agency or entity can solve food or housing insecurity, which continue to grow as our community grows. The City of New Braunfels, Comal County, and our non-profit agencies must work together to effectively address these social issues.”

In recent years, the annual Point in Time count, which surveys those experiencing homelessness, has revealed alarming trends. Homelessness doubled from 2020 to 2022, increased by 10% in 2023, and surged by 64% in 2024. Last year, the number of unsheltered individuals tripled compared to 2023.

According to the proclamation, “a minimum of 600 will face the devastating challenges of homelessness this year.”

Often intertwined with homelessness, the proclamation also brings awareness to hunger in our community, noting that an estimated 18,000 people experience food insecurity annually.

In 2023, the New Braunfels Food Bank alone distributed over 2.8 million pounds of food to local hungry individuals and families. Additionally, 62% of the food-insecure population in Comal County is above the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) threshold, according to Feeding America. For a family of four, this would mean earning more than $4,125 a month.

The proclamation serves as a call to action for the community to raise awareness, support programs, and advocate for policies to reduce and prevent hunger and homelessness.

“I encourage all residents, businesses, and organizations to recognize the challenges faced by those experiencing hunger and homelessness, support efforts to end food insecurity and homelessness, and create a future where everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing,” the proclamation read.

If you or someone you know are experiencing homelessness or hunger, please contact one of the following local organizations that are here to support our community: NB Housing Partners, Crisis Center of Comal County, Salvation Army, Comal Mental Health, the New Braunfels Food Bank, SOS Food Bank, CRRC, Family Promise of Greater New Braunfels, and Connections Individual and Family Services.

As the holidays approach, please consider donating or volunteering your time with these vital nonprofit organizations.

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Seniors are struggling in Comal County: Donate to Meals on Wheels today

Donate here.

Residents of New Braunfels and Comal County, especially our elderly and homebound neighbors, are facing significant challenges in meeting their basic needs.

The Meals on Wheels program, operated by the Comal County Senior Citizens Foundation (CCSCF), steps up to support these vulnerable seniors by providing them with hot, nutritious meals delivered directly to their homes each day.

CCSCF needs help today to continue to provide this lifeline for our seniors. You can make a meaningful impact in their lives through donations to keep our local Meals on Wheels program on course and continuing its mission. Donate today by clicking here.

Local data suggests that in just the last year, our neighbors accessing food resources and who are food insecure have increased over 40%. In Comal County, approximately 22,720 individuals, representing nearly 14% of the population, are struggling with food insecurity, with a significant portion being homebound seniors.

Given the program’s importance, CCSCF has experienced a surge in demand for home-delivered meals. This, coupled with a decline in funding and an increase in food costs over the past few years, has put a strain on available resources. Although the Meals on Wheels program receives partial funding from state and federal partners, the organization is still responsible for the unfunded meal costs; a gap which with recent trends, has continued to widen.

This financial strain underscores the urgent need for support from the community to help CCSCF continue to provide crucial assistance to those in need.

Currently, over 370 dedicated local volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that our seniors receive the nutrition and support they need to live healthy and fulfilling lives. Every year, the Meals on Wheels program delivers approximately 76,281 meals and serves 570 local seniors.

Rally with us as a community to support the Meals on Wheels program, the CCSCF, and our aging neighbors!

Donate here.

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Meals in Comal County cost more than SNAP benefits

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) assists over 42 million people in the United States annually. In Texas, approximately one in nine individuals benefited from SNAP in 2022, as reported by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP). Data from the United States Census Bureau indicates that in Comal County, 4.4%, or about 8,000 households, received SNAP benefits that same year. However, data from 2023 suggests that SNAP benefits do not cover the cost of a modestly priced meal, resulting in widespread food insecurity among many families both nationally and locally.

THE PROBLEM: 

 

While SNAP benefits assist thousands in Comal County, the cost of a modestly priced meal often exceeds what these households can afford, leading to persistent food hardship and increasingly tight budgets.

Nationally, in 2023, the maximum benefit only covered the cost of meals in 36 of the 3,144 counties, as reported by the Urban Institute. In Comal County, the difference between SNAP benefits and the cost of meals is approximately $0.24, rendering a modestly priced meal 8% more expensive than the maximum SNAP benefit.

Additionally, data from Feeding America and Texas Health and Human Services in 2022 indicate that 62% of the food-insecure population in Comal County have incomes above the SNAP threshold, with earnings over $4,125 monthly for a family of four. In other words, 62% of our neighbors who struggle with grocery costs earn too much to qualify for assistance. This often forces them to choose between food and medication, rent, or clothing. Reports also suggest that an annual investment of $15.8 million is required to eradicate hunger in Comal County.

ABOUT SNAP: 

 

Previously known as the Food Stamp Program, SNAP is the nation’s most valuable anti-hunger initiative, aiding low-income individuals in obtaining a nutritionally sufficient diet. It supports low-income working families, individuals with disabilities on fixed incomes, older adults (60 years and older) with low income, and other low-income households. The CBPP states that about two-thirds of SNAP recipients are families with children, and one-third are individuals with disabilities or older adults.  

In Texas, the maximum monthly income an individual can earn is $2,005 and still qualify for the program, as per the Texas Health and Human Services. The threshold for a family of two is $2,712, and for a family of four, that threshold is $4,125. 

A single eligible Texan can receive a maximum of $291 monthly from SNAP. For each additional household member, up to $219 per month is added. For example, a family of two may get $535, while a family of four may receive a maximum of $973.

LOCAL RESOURCES: 

 

The demand for food security programs continues to increase in our community. Several local organizations, however, continue to step in to fill the gap caused by insufficient benefits. The following organizations are dedicated to providing assistance and support to those in need:

New Braunfels Food Bank: 

  • Located at 1620 S Seguine Ave. in New Braunfels
  • Open from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday
  • Request an appointment here.

 

The Hope Center Food Pantry:

  • Located at 6260 US Hwy 281 N in Spring Branch
  • Open from 9 am to 12 pm, Tuesday through Friday

 

Community Resource and Recreation Center: 

  • Located at 1917 FM 2673 in Canyon Lake
  • Open from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday (last shopper at 3:30 pm)

 

Helping Hands Food Pantry: 

  • Located at 11755 Hwy 281 N in Spring Branch
  • Click here for 2024 hours

 

For more information on hunger in our community, please click here. 

For more local resources dedicated to ending hunger, please visit our Non-profit Resource Directory.

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Mckenna Foundation awards rural partners in first grants of 2024

The McKenna Foundation’s Board of Trustees has approved $130,000 of grant funding for rural community support to four partner organizations.

In the first grantmaking session of the year, trustees voted to distribute a total of $575,000 in funding to 12 nonprofit organizations. A portion of this funding, amounting to $130,000, will be allocated specifically to assist rural partners.

The Community Resource and Recreation Center (CCRC) of Canyon Lake is set to receive $65,000. CCRC offers a range of life-enhancing opportunities, support, and social services to the broader Canyon Lake community. With a 48% increase in visitation and over $700,000 worth of food supplies distributed in 2023 alone, the funding is expected to provide rural community support and address the pressing challenges faced by local residents.

The Foundation also approved a $10,000 grant for Bulverde-area food pantry, Provisions Outreach. Provisions reports that since the start of the year, their pantry has served up to 80 clients a day. The client-choice pantry will utilize the funds to purchase essential food and supplies needed in their community and plan to distribute 32,000 pounds of food each month.

Helping Hands Food Pantry was approved for a $40,000 grant by the McKenna Board. Serving the greater Spring Branch area, Helping Hands assists over 4,000 family members in Northwest Comal County annually and anticipates providing an average of 10,000 pounds of food each month. Half of the grant is allocated for pantry operations, while the remaining $20,000 will finance a box truck crucial for weekly food collections.

Also serving the Spring Branch area, the Hope Center was approved for a $15,000 grant towards their Feed My Sheep initiative. The Hope Center has seen a 93% increase in service demand in the first three months of 2024 compared to the previous year. They provide for an underserved population in far Western Comal County seeing on average over 9,000 clients each year and plan to distribute over 100,000 pounds of food this year. The awarded $15,000 will be used to enhance the variety and nutritional value of food provided and will support spiritual nourishment in collaboration with local faith communities.

These McKenna Foundation partners are dedicated to providing beneficial services to our rural neighbors and continue to grow and collaborate as the needs of our community increase.

The approved grants fall under the McKenna Foundation’s Basic Needs Portfolio, which is designed to fund nonprofit organizations that provide accessible resources for food assistance, housing, financial assistance, workforce and employability, and transportation.

The application window for portfolios Health and Education is now open, with applications due by July 8. The Family Relationships application window will open on Aug. 12.

The Foundation accepts applications from verified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Comal County residents. New and returning applicants are welcome to apply. For more information please contact us at 830-606-9500, email grants@mckenna.org, or visit our apply for a grant page.

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Comal County commissioners issue proclamation recognizing September as Hunger Action Month

Camille Cooper, CRRC of Canyon Lake resource program director, center, addresses meeting attendees as Comal County commissioners recognize September as Hunger Action Month during their Aug. 24 meeting.

August 25, 2023: Comal County commissioners have issued a proclamation recognizing September as “Hunger Action Month” to bring attention to community food insecurity and engage the public in action, including volunteer shifts, social media shares and donations to end hunger one helping at a time.

Representatives from the San Antonio Food Bank, New Braunfels Food Bank, the CRCC of Canyon Lake, Provisions and other partners accepted the proclamation during the Aug. 24 commissioners court meeting.

The organizations serve more than 5,200 households a month in New Braunfels. The San Antonio Food Bank assists around 105,000 individuals weekly throughout 29 counties in the southwest Texas region.

“This morning, as I thought about what I was going to wear for this proclamation, I made a bowl of oatmeal without much thought,” said Camille Cooper, CRRC’s resource program director, addressing meeting attendees. “It was then that I realized that I was more concerned about standing here before you than what I was going to eat, which then led me to think about the parents and grandparents or guardians who have one less thing to worry about because their children will have at least one nutritious meal provided them at school.”

Cooper said it’s been difficult “to keep our shelves full this year because of the 74% more families we are serving this year than last, even with the end of the pandemic.”

She also said pantry leaders and directors she met with at the San Antonio Food Bank’s annual conference expressed concern about how much more difficult it is to meet needs in the community.

“It’s no secret: more and more of our neighbors are struggling with food insecurity because of higher prices for food at the pump or have been caught off guard by an emergency situation,” she said.

She concluded by saying that the proclamation issued by commissioners is to call attention first to the need but also to call those with the capacity to act.

“Yes, wearing this shirt is important because one way to give is to give of one’s time by volunteering at your local food pantry or food bank,” she said. “Another, of course, in a big way, is by donating food and funds to buy that food. Please, don’t get me wrong. We are thankful we serve in a community that shows up in these ways, but I know we’re scratching the surface. Based on the stories I hear from our neighbors, there are some who are too proud to ask for help. They are out there.”

According to Feeding America, one in seven Texans – more than four million – struggle with hunger. Of those, one in six – more than 1.3 million – are children.