THE ISSUE

Hunger affects people in our community. Many families are a job loss or medical crisis away from being food insecure. In Comal County, poverty is one of the leading causes of food insecurity for families, children, and seniors. The McKenna Foundation’s experience and research show that under-employment, lower household assets, and certain demographic characteristics increase the likelihood of food insecurity. Among our food insecure neighbors, 53% make too much money to qualify for government nutrition assistance programs.

Even with the food assistance programs operating in Comal County, the McKenna Foundation recognized the hunger needs of the community were not being met. Projections by the nation’s leading hunger relief organization, Feeding America, suggest it would take an additional investment of $9.2 million per year to completely end hunger in Comal County.

Comal County has an average

food insecurity rate of 12.2% or

17,230 residents. The child food

insecurity rate for Comal

County is 18.4% or 5,690 children

Source: Map the Meal Gap 2019: Food Insecurity and Child Food Insecurity at the County Level, Feeding America, 2019

12.1%

of Comal County residents experienced food insecurity in 2016

18.4%

of Comal County children experienced food insecurity in 2019

The Inspiration

We envision a community where every child, adult and senior has access to reliable, nutritious food sources. We don’t want parents or seniors to have to choose between food and decent clothes, medical care, or other household necessities.

The hidden face of hunger often includes children who are undernourished, the working poor, seniors who are isolated and even those who have served in our United States military. People need enough nutritious food to work, play and ultimately thrive. In 2017, New Braunfels and surrounding communities received a gift in the form of the New Braunfels Food Bank that is committed to providing food along the spectrum, from emergency food for today to food security in the future.

McKenna actively provides services to enhance the health and well-being of the greater New Braunfels community, serving as a partner and resource to others who share our goals — now and for future generations.

801 W. San Antonio St. New Braunfels, TX 78130

(830) 606-9500
(830) 606-9535

8:30a.m. – 5:00p.m. M-F

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