Families in the Pflugerville‑Hutto area are confronting heightened food‑insecurity as the cost of living climbs. Circle of Hope Community Center in Pflugerville and Hutto Resource Center say demand for pantry services has surged even as donations and volunteer capacity have been squeezed.
Leaders describe the strain
Tina Lee, founder and executive director of Circle of Hope, explained that “the need remains substantial while resources and donations are stretched.” She added that many households are doing “everything right,” yet incomes simply cannot keep pace with rising expenses such as gas and groceries.
Sandy Brockwell, executive director of Hutto Resource Center, echoed the concern, noting the organization is “serving more people than ever.” Both leaders emphasized the urgency of finding ways to keep every needy resident fed.
Operational challenges
Circle of Hope faces a double‑edged problem. While the pantry still receives food donations, each pallet incurs costs for receipt, storage, transport and distribution. Lee said the recent economic slowdown has led longtime donors to scale back contributions, leaving the center to do more with less.
To offset the shortfall, Circle of Hope relies on partnerships with the Central Texas Food Bank, local businesses and a network of volunteers who staff drive‑through and mobile distribution events.
How the pantries serve the community
Hutto Resource Center operates a pop‑up distribution every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., offering fresh and frozen foods supplied by retail partners of the Central Texas Food Bank. The center also runs drive‑through events on the first and third Saturdays of each month, providing non‑perishable items, meat, produce, hygiene products, diapers and baby supplies when stock permits.
Circle of Hope’s drive‑through pantry is open Monday and Friday mornings, delivering bread, fresh fruit, produce, frozen meats, dairy and pantry staples. In partnership with the Central Texas Food Bank, the organization runs a mobile pantry at The Pfield on the first Tuesday of each month.
Both agencies state that anyone in need is eligible for assistance, and applications can be completed online through each organization’s website.
Volunteer and donation needs
As the holiday season approaches, Brockwell warned that volunteer schedules are filling quickly and additional help may be required. He encouraged community members to monitor the center’s Facebook page for specific donation requests.
Circle of Hope is actively seeking volunteers aged 16 and older for its drive‑through distributions. Ongoing donation needs include boxed cereal, rice, oatmeal, peanut butter, jelly, canned vegetables, spaghetti, pasta sauce and other staple foods. The pantry accepts donations on Monday and Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Community response
Local businesses, churches and civic groups have stepped forward to support the pantries, offering food drives, transportation assistance and volunteer manpower. Residents are encouraged to contribute what they can, whether through monetary gifts, in‑kind food donations or by donating time.
Both nonprofits remain committed to ensuring that no family in Pflugerville or Hutto goes hungry, even as economic pressures test the limits of charitable giving.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.
