COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Response

Updated June 29, 2020

We are actively monitoring the health situation and will update our policies and procedures as necessary to keep our clients, volunteers, staff, partners, and donors protected.

Since we first learned of the pandemic, we have been evolving the way we do things. We want to ensure everyone is kept as safe as possible, while still responding to the increased need in our community. We will continue to fulfill our mission, to the absolute best of our ability.

Volunteers

We are considered an essential business. Even if we are under another Shelter-in-Place order, our organization is exempt since we provide an essential service.

Our volunteer needs have adapted to our ever-changing response to this pandemic. We’ve decreased the amount of volunteers per shift to keep numbers down in our office and warehouse. However, we do need healthy volunteers weekly in order to rescue, inspect, sort, pack, and distribute food. Click here to find out more about volunteering with us.

Our promise to our volunteers is that we will work hard to ensure your safety.

Screening questions are asked upon initial shift; updates are required if things change.
Everyone must wash hands when changing gloves or switching tasks.
Gloves are to be changed between tasks to ensure no cross contamination.
Everyone must wear a mask when in close proximity to others.
Our vans are disinfected after every use.
Our warehouse, processing room, and office is disinfected several times throughout the day.
Social distancing is practiced as long as feasible. Masks are required when it is not.
Volunteers and staff do not come into close contact with clients and will not place food inside a vehicle, except for in a vehicle’s trunk or truck bed.
When walk-up clients arrive, food is placed on a table and the client can pick it up when our team member is a safe distance away.

If you are considered high-risk or are a caregiver to someone who is high-risk, we encourage you not to volunteer at this time.

Community Support

Our office is closed to the public at this time. However, we are still accepting food and fund donations.

Thank you to everyone who has continued to support our mission. We are incredibly grateful to the community members, churches, groups, and businesses who have hosted fundraisers, created matching opportunities, and donated to help us continue to fight hunger here.

Food may be dropped off on our front porch or left in the green bin on the side of our building. If you need a receipt, please click here to email our Community Relations Coordinator.

Monetary donations are always appreciated. You can donate online here or mail your donation to:

Hays County Food Bank

220 Herndon Street

San Marcos, TX 78666

Food Assistance

Our food distribution model has changed to be as contactless as possible. We’ve reduced the number of distributions due to consolidate our efforts.

Our updated distribution schedule can be found here.
All distributions are drive-through and outside.
All food is pre-packed.
Clients must stay in their vehicle and our team member will place food either in the trunk or bed of their vehicle. If neither is available, food will be placed on the hood of the car. Clients can retrieve their food once our team member is a safe distance away.
If you are ill or high-risk, please designate a proxy to pick up on your behalf. If you need to add a proxy, please call our office at (512) 392-8300.

Our Commitment to our Community

Hays County Food Bank is passionately committed to improving lives through food assistance programs, nutrition education, and advocacy. While we have had to put the brakes on our education classes, we are still committed to providing a much needed service to our community. We will keep you updated on any changes in our service. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (512) 392-8300.