Support for the homeless and underfed

While we alone cannot solve homelessness or food insecurity, we can come together as a community to raise funds and awareness of the issues … one dollar, one step, one person at a time.

Homelessness is a problem everywhere, including Central Texas:

• Austin/Travis County:  People homeless on a given night = 2,506 (Homeless per 10,000 people = 19.7)
• San Antonio/Bexar County:  People Homeless on a given night = 2,932 (Homeless per 10,000 people = 14.6)

Defining Homelessness:

The definition of those who are experiencing homelessness includes:

• An individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, such as those living in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or places not meant for habitation, or
•  An individual or family who will imminently lose their primary nighttime residence (within 14 days), provided that no subsequent housing has been identified and the individual/family lacks support networks or resources needed to obtain housing, or
•  Unaccompanied youth under 25 years of age, or families with children and youth who qualify under other Federal statutes, such as the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, have not had a lease or ownership interest in a housing unit in the last 60 or more days, have had two or more moves in the last 60 days, and who are likely to continue to be unstably housed because of disability or multiple barriers to employment, or
• An individual or family who is fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, has no other residence, and lacks the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing

Source:  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration:

Defining Food Insecurity

The USDA defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life.  This can be a temporary situation for a family or can las a long time. Food insecurity is one way we measure how many people can’t afford food.

2021 Food Insecurity stats in Texas

• Food insecure population in Texas = 4,057,910
• Food Insecure in Travis County:  12% of our population
• Food insecure in Bexar County is 14%!

According to the Central Texas Food Bank, 34% of food bank clients are children and teens.