By Anita Miller
It’s business as usual at the Hays County Food Bank — at least for now.
“We are continuing to serve our community as best we can and encouraging everybody to follow safety measures, Executive Director Eleanor Owen-Oshan said on Thursday. She said there are currently no plans for additional food distribution days should local school districts cancel classes because of COVID-19 but that the food bank would follow any state-issued guidelines.
Many students in Hays County school districts rely on having breakfast and lunch at school.
Additionally, March is Nutrition Month, and the food bank has scheduled a number of special events like cooking classes across the county. Owen-Oshan said those —including a demonstration at St. Anthony’s Church in Kyle scheduled March 24 and another at Connection Church in Buda March 26 — are still to go on as planned. Owen-Oshan said those classes involve small numbers of people.
“This is all kind of new,” she said. “Since there are no detected cases in Hays County we’re just proceeding with caution, putting back plans in place.”
She said clients who feel sick should send a proxy rather than attend regularly scheduled food distribution events, which include Tuesdays at non at St. Anthony’s Church and Wednesday’s from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1000 E. FM 150.
At this time, the food bank is continuing its choice distribution, meaning clients are given a choice between food items including frozen meat, loose fruits, baked goods and breads. Clients will be able to go through the line multiple times but must bring their own bags or boxes.
If conditions warrant, a bagged distribution system may be initiated. If that happens, clients will be provided with pre-selected items including frozen or canned meat, canned non-perishable items, loose fruits and vegetable, packaged fruits and vegetables, salads, baked goods or breads.
“We rely heavily on volunteers for our operations, so we’re subject to their availability and food donation availability,” she said, both of which are good at the current time.
