[dropcap]T[/dropcap]aking a broader view of people in the Dripping Springs community proved to be a life-changing moment for resident Mandi McNutt.
Sure, many of her friends and those in her inner circle were doing well from a financial standpoint. But when she began to ask questions and do her research, McNutt realized there was a lot of need in her community.
Primarily, she realized once school was out, some students and families may not have had the budget to keep food in the pantry during the summer.
“Need takes on many forms and looks different for every person,” McNutt said.
With the help of hundreds of volunteers, McNutt successfully kickstarted the School’s Out, Food’s In (SOFI) program in May 2014 , which operates out of the Hill Country Bible Church in Dripping Springs. SOFI delivers healthy food to participating Dripping Springs families during the summer months.
One of the primary focuses for SOFI is to help families whose children participate in the free or reduced breakfast and lunch program. However, McNutt said SOFI doesn’t follow specific criteria and doesn’t ask questions when it comes to providing assistance.
McNutt said the program is a way for neighbors to “help neighbors and get to know them and not have obstacles there.”
Some state-sponsored food banks have requirements and guidelines, such as submitting income levels, McNutt said. Because the organization receives donations from the community, SOFI is free to distribute food to whomever may need help.
“We never felt we fed a family that didn’t have a need,” McNutt said. “We help those who may be on the poverty level, but we also help someone who is in a gated community and maybe lost a job and needs some temporary assistance.”
Hundreds of people in the Dripping Springs community help the program, with 30 neighborhoods citywide that provide food.
Approximately 200 to 300 people participate in some capacity of the program. Tasks range from neighborhood coordinators, who help get the message out on social media, to those who collect the food and build the bags.
The organization obtained a climate controlled storage unit from Locktite Storage in Dripping Springs.
“Everyone has a small part. It’s necessary for everyone to do what they can do and it collectively makes a big difference,” McNutt said.
Delivering the bags to families is a priority as it alleviates stress from families who may need the help. As SOFI is a Dripping Springs-only program, she said the goal is to help everyone know his or her neighbors.
They also try to “eliminate any reason or obstacle” as to why a child cannot have a healthy meal during the summer. Oftentimes, parents who need help must go to a food pantry, which may only be open during the workday.
“We never felt we fed a family that didn’t have a need ... We help those who may be on the poverty level, but we also help someone who is in a gated community and maybe lost a job and needs some temporary assistance.” Mandi McNutt
Every summer, the organization collects 1,400 bags. In the first summer, SOFI helped feed 187 children in Dripping Springs. Through the first three weeks of summer 2017, SOFI has served over 198 children.
Word of mouth and friends telling friends of the program has led to the increase in numbers.
What goes into the bags, however, isn’t the normal fare of chips and soft drinks.
SOFI focuses on providing healthy meals to families. McNutt said a food list is sent out that ensures the program feeds families “real food and helps them grow.” Every Sunday, the program purchases perishable food, such as fresh produce or yogurt.
The program tries to add foods that aren’t budget friendly for some families, but are healthy.
Ramen noodles or pop tarts, McNutt said, are not options.
“We try to provide food that is healthy and might allow a kid to try a food they may never have had before,” McNutt said.
McNutt said the program needs approximately $1,000 per week to purchase the perishable food for the program. When it’s all said and done, the program goes through $25,000 in operating costs.
But SOFI goes far beyond just offering food. McNutt said the program also guides people to other resources that may be needed.
Trying to meet the need of the community, but also create fellowship, is the goal.
“So much of what we do is for that reason, to not only meet the physical and emotional, but also the spiritual need,” McNutt said.
HOW TO HELP
Want to volunteer or donate to SOFI? Contact Mandi McNutt at [email protected] or call the Hill Country Bible Church at 512-843-0035.
