Each year through the months of October, November and December, The Caring Place holds a fundraiser for the Food Pantry called Hunger Free Holidays. The Caring Place is asking the community to start their holiday giving with a gift to the Food Pantry. Gifts can be made with a credit card at caringplacetx.org/donate and checks may be mailed to “The Caring Place, PO Box 1215, Georgetown, TX 78627” with a note on the memo line designating the Food Pantry.
“Last year we raised over $87,000 for the Food Pantry during these final three months of the year alone,” said Food Programs & Facilities Director, David Earl. “This year in the month of October, we had not quite reached $6,000. It’s a different kind of year. Some folks see COVID in the rearview mirror, but there is still a need in our community. Households are impacted by low wages, inflation, fluctuating gas prices and unknowns in the workplace. The food we distribute for free in the Food Pantry may equal $200-$400 of a household’s monthly budget. These savings can bring relief and stability to many neighbors in our community.”
The Caring Place Food Pantry distributes food out of the 2000 Railroad Avenue location and through remote distribution on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Thursday of the month. January through September The Caring Place recorded the following data:
- 14,634 visits were made to the Food Pantry or remote distributions in Jarrell, Bartlett or Granger.
- 681,838 pounds of food distributed through The Caring Place Food Pantry and remote distribution.
- The total value of food distributed is $1,718,232.
This data does not include Central Texas Food Bank programs like Fresh Food for Families and Healthy Options Program for the Elderly which is also distributed by The Caring Place staff and volunteers.
Earl adds, “One thing, we have learned through the years is to expect the unexpected. It is through the generous support of our community, that we are prepared for whatever crisis arises. When our community gives during the Hunger Free Holidays campaign, it allows us to make plans and adjust those plans all year long.”
For groups who wish to hold Food Drives, The Caring Place offers the opportunity to host monetary Food Drives with their “Little Blue Barrels.” To learn more visit caringplacetx.org/bluebarrel or contact Rita Turner, Community Engagement Manager, at 512-943-0702. The organization is not taking can goods at this time.
Since 1985, The Caring Place has provided for the basic human needs of all people in our community in a welcoming, respectful and caring way. The Caring Place is a community-based, community-supported, and community-serving organization located in Georgetown, Texas. The Caring Place service area includes Georgetown, Andice, Bartlett, Florence, Granger, Jarrell, Jonah, Schwertner, Walburg, Weir, and the portion of Hutto that lies within GISD. Learn more at caringplacetx.org.
As the holidays are upon us, The Caring Place would like to remind the community of the resources available during an often budget-stretched time of year.
The Caring Place Food Pantry at 2000 Railroad Avenue will be open Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri, 9 AM – 4 PM. The Food Pantry is closed on Thursdays to conduct remote food distribution. At this time, households may visit the Food Pantry once a month. Food Pantry participants should check in at the Food Pantry’s entrance at 2000 Railroad Avenue to receive food. If you do not have an updated Food Pantry card, please visit Programs & Services at 2001 Railroad Avenue to enroll in the program or update your card.
Programs & Services at 2001 Railroad Avenue is open Mon-Fri, 9 AM – 4 PM. Financial Assistance for those in The Caring Place service area includes rent, mortgage, utilities, transportation (including gas), emergency dental, and some prescription assistance with verifiable proof of crisis. You can find additional information using the Get Help icon on The Caring Place website or at caringplacetx.org/gethelp.
Thrift Store Hours at The Caring Place include:
- The Shops at The Caring Place Thrift Store at 2000 Railroad Avenue: Mon-Sat, 10 AM – 4 PM.
- Second Helping Thrift Store at 3700 Williams Drive: Tues-Sat, 10 AM – 4 PM.
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