The Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry is proud to announce the groundbreaking of its new 9,200-square-foot Nutrition and Education Center, an exciting step forward in the organization’s mission to combat hunger and provide essential services to our neighbors in need. This new facility will feature a state-of-the-art grocery store where neighbor’s can “shop” for their own food and multiple intake rooms to streamline service and support more families. The new facility will be able to double the inventory capacity of the Food Pantry to one million pounds!
This groundbreaking is a key milestone in the Food Pantry’s Good Neighbor’s Campaign, a project designed to increase the Pantry’s ability to serve a growing number of community members. With hunger and food insecurity at historic highs, the Pantry has experienced an overwhelming demand for its services. In fact, for two consecutive years, the Pantry has served over 70% more neighbors than it did in 2020. The new facility will help meet this increased need and will also provide nutrition and financial education programs to combat the root causes of hunger and poor nutrition.

To help make this project a reality, the Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry has received a generous challenge gift from the Mabee Foundation. The Foundation has pledged $650,000 toward the project — but in order to receive this gift, the Pantry must raise an additional $950,000 by July of 2025. Currently, the Food Pantry has successfully raised 48% of this goal and is asking for the community’s support to help raise the remaining 52%. These last gifts will complete the fundraising phase of this campaign.

“This campaign represents a crucial investment in the health and well-being of our entire community,” said, Tresha Silva, Executive Director of the Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry. “By raising these funds, we will not only meet the growing demand for food and services, but we will also create a space that empowers our neighbors with the resources they need to thrive. Every gift counts — and thanks to the Mabee Foundation’s challenge, all donations will be essentially matched dollar-for-dollar.”

The Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry is calling on the community to contribute to this transformative project, helping to ensure that no neighbor goes hungry and that the Food Pantry can continue to serve those who need it most. Gifts can be made online or directly to the Food Pantry, and every donation brings the organization closer to achieving the challenge grant in the allotted time frame.
For more information about the Good Neighbor’s Campaign, or to make a donation, please visit www.BastropFoodPantry.org
 
About Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry:
The Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry is a nonprofit organization committed to providing emergency food assistance and resources to families and individuals in need throughout Bastrop County. The Food Pantry aims to alleviate hunger, promote food security, and foster community self-sufficiency by offering services with dignity and respect. Through the generosity of donors and volunteers, the Pantry has been able to provide critical support for thousands of neighbors in need.