On Tuesday, Austin ISD marked the opening of a new food pantry at Galindo Elementary School. This initiative is made possible through a collaboration with the Central Texas Food Bank.
The need for such resources is significant, as "one in five kids in Travis County don’t know where their next meal is coming from," according to CTFB. The pantry aims to provide Austin ISD families and students with convenient access to nutritious food, addressing a major concern for many.
Sari M. Vatske, President and CEO of CTFB, emphasized the broader impact of this initiative: “We not only aim to alleviate that stress on a family, but we also seek to help improve attendance, performance and behavior in the classroom by providing the necessary nutrition needed to thrive.”
This effort is part of the Central Texas Food Bank's Feeding Future School Pantry program, which began in January 2024. Participating schools are primarily Title I elementary schools with a high number of students enrolled in free or reduced-price meal programs.
Since its inception, the program has distributed over 75,000 meals across eight school pantries, offering support directly to students and their families.
Families interested in accessing these resources can begin by creating an account.