All locations of The Caring Place are closed on Monday, September 4th for Labor Day.

Dear Friends,

I don't know about you, but I get excited when I see hints that fall is nearing, especially after this summer! In Texas, those hints are usually the announcement that school is back in session and pumpkin products reappear. We all know it takes a while for those temperatures to drop here in Central Texas. We do have one more autumn indicator in our Food Pantry; the shelves are nearly wiped clean of breakfast items! Families are making sure the kids are fed before heading to school for a day of learning. We already struggled with having a variety of breakfast items available, but that problem is magnified this fall.

In light of that realization, "Hunger Free Holidays" will begin early this year, in September! It's back in the most impactful way! Keep reading to learn more about how you can help fill the Food Pantry with what we need most. I encourage you to join us in fighting hunger this season. It will do your heart good and directly impact families working to stretch their budgets through some of the most expensive months of the year.

Blessings,

Ginna O'Connor

Executive Director

NEW: Chronic Pain Self-Management Workshop

Explore healthy ways to manage and live with a chronic pain condition so that you can enjoy a more satisfying life. Face the challenge of being able to function at your best even with the difficulties that pain can cause.

This free, 6-class workshop is brought to you by the Area Agency on Aging of Central Texas and hosted by The Caring Place. Space is limited, so sign up now!

When? October 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16, and 30 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Where? The Caring Place, Programs & Services Community Room at 2001 Railroad Avenue

Who? Anyone 60 years and older living with chronic pain and desires support, education and community.

How? RSVP with Xinia at 512-943-0726 or Quynh at 512-943-0729.

Do you shop at Randalls? Print and fill out this document to have your purchases at Randalls support our mission. Submit the form to the Randalls Courtesy Booth.

DOWNLOAD FLYER

Let's increase the number of folks who participate in this program so that you can help The Caring Place when you buy your groceries.

The Caring Place (TCP) brings back Hunger Free Holidays Food Drives with a twist in 2023. This year, the community-wide seasonal drive begins one month early, in September. However, the most significant change in the campaign is the request to the community to donate specific items each month, September through December. A wish list, released each month, will inform the community about what items are most needed during the Food Drive. Hunger Free Holidays begins with a September request for breakfast items like cereal, oatmeal and grits.

Targeted drives help The Caring Place use its resources wisely and ensure the community has a wide selection in the Food Pantry. Please check the monthly giving guide this holiday season when planning Food & Necessity Drives. Items may be delivered to the Donations drive through at 2000 Railroad Avenue, Mon-Sat, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. If you need the items weighed for a group Food Drive, you can park in the reserved parking spot on the north side of the building and a Food Pantry team member will assist you in unloading and weighing. This reserved parking spot is available Mon, Tues, Wed and Fri, at 2000 Railroad Avenue, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Due to the record number of people utilizing the Food Pantry, The Caring Place cannot deliver or pick up the large blue barrels for collection during this year’s campaign, however you can borrow one if you provide pick up and delivery. You may also make monetary gifts at caringplacetx.org/donate to help The Caring Place purchase food where the organization needs it most.

TCP’s Director of Food Programs & Facilities, David Earl, explains, “Most of what The Caring Place purchases for the Food Pantry is from the Central Texas Food Bank or other discounted sources. However, there are a few items that we consistently have difficulty purchasing. We will evaluate our needs each month of Hunger Free Holidays and release a monthly wish list. These items are critical food and hygiene items for families in our community. You can help your neighbors by collecting, donating and delivering these items in the designated month.” Earl adds, “Due to limited space and time for sorting, we think it’s important to focus on one type of item each month. It will help us supplement the Food Pantry with critical items in this busy time while keeping sorting time to a minimum.”

In July of this year, The Caring Place surpassed 2022’s total number of households helped and there has been a notable increase in requests for financial assistance. This observation explains the influx of families visiting the Food Pantry to help stretch their budgets. Earl shares, “The Food Pantry stays incredibly busy meeting the community’s needs. We have broken all previous records for the number of neighbors served this summer. We look forward to utilizing this new model of taking in food and other pantry donations through the holiday season. We greatly appreciate the community's understanding as we update our traditional campaign. You will help us feed more people this year and allow us to keep wait times to a minimum.”



For additional information about Food Drives, call 512–943-0738 or email fooddonations@caringplactex.org.

Let's introduce you to a couple more volunteers this month!

Meet John

From a career Firefighter to longtime TCP employee and, more recently, a Food Pantry volunteer, John Burton has lots of life experiences under his belt. Over the 12+ years John’s been walking the TCP halls, he’s seen The Caring Place grow in size and impact. Read on to learn more about John and his time at The Caring Place!





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Meet Carolyn

Whether greeting people at the door, making short announcements on the intercom or chatting up customers at her register, one thing is always obvious about Carolyn. She’s happy and The Caring Place values come easy. She’s thrilled to be at The Caring Place volunteering her free time as a cashier in one of our thrift stores. Full of energy and no shortage of smiles, she’s a delight.



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Ready to join our volunteer team? Fill out our online application at caringplacetx.org/volunteer. Have questions about volunteering? Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Dennis Hilgeman, at dhilgemancaringplacetx.org.

All locations of The Caring Place are closed on Monday, September 4th for Labor Day.