Pantry to double

pantry to double

Expanded facility, food services match growing demand

The Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry is expected to double its storage and distribution capacity when it relocates to a new 9,200-square-foot facility later this month.

The pantry, which currently distributes to more than 5,000 residents each year, aims to significantly expand services for families facing food insecurity and strengthen long-term hunger relief with an upgraded headquarters in downtown Bastrop. The warehouse will hold up to 1 million pounds of food annually and improve the county’s ability to respond during emergencies, according to Executive Director Tresha Silva.

“This new warehouse is going to make sure that we can work ahead of food insecurity in this county and respond in a timely manner,” Silva said. “When you have things like a government shutdown or a disaster, you get an uptick in people coming in for services. If you’re not prepared — you’re playing the catch-up game.”

The pantry has distributed more than 2 million pounds of food over the past five years with the help of the community, and officials said demand is on the rise.

Part of the new facility will operate as a “grocery store” for local families, changing how food assistance is received with options to fit individual household needs. Volunteers will help guide residents as they select items.

“We’re very excited about the grocery store aspect of the project, which is really going to raise the neighbors’ experience to a new level when they come in to get food from us,” Silva said. “They’ll be able to come in and shop for their family to get enough food for 30 days — breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks for everyone in the household.”

The expansion will also allow the nonprofit to strengthen its support for smaller food pantries in the area and develop new outreach strategies for residents who face transportation barriers.

While the Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS) operates in Bastrop County, Silva said scheduling limitations make it difficult for some families to access services.

“Bastrop is 889 square miles. If the days CARTS can get into those areas don’t align with when we’re open, we still have a barrier,” she said. “We’re looking at how to load our vehicles with cold and dry goods and get out to those areas with partner organizations.”

A challenge grant from the Mabee Foundation helped push the project over the finish line. By meeting the $976,044 f undrai sing target through local support, the pantry secured the foundation’s $650,000 award to complete its capital campaign.

Silva encouraged residents to use the pantry’s website for donations, volunteer sign-ups and assistance details. More information is available at bastropfoodpantry.org.

“We’re always able to leverage more with a dollar than the average person going into their grocery store,” Silva said. “If this is your passion and our mission speaks to you, here’s an opportunity to connect.”