ACC’s Social Support and Resource Development staff and partners distributed more than 310,000 pounds of food to students, employees, and community members in ACC’s service area last academic year (AY) — and the need has grown.
This past year, ACC continued ongoing partnerships and established new ones to distribute 294,708 pounds of groceries and 1,322 produce boxes, equaling 15,864 pounds of food, throughout the district. ACC saw an increase of 18% more households receiving groceries in AY2022-23 (7,351 households) than AY2021-22 (6,237 households).
“Many ACC students struggle to make ends meet, given the high cost of housing and other living expenses across Central Texas. These distributions contribute to ACC’s expanding initiatives to provide free and affordable access to fresh produce and nutritious food across the district,” says Steve Christopher, ACC associate vice president for Student Accessibility & Social Support Resources (SASSR).
Grocery pick-up events provide regular opportunities for students and employees — as well as the communities surrounding ACC campuses — to access groceries, including vegetables, fruits, proteins, dairy, grains, and shelf-stable products.
This past year, ACC hosted 61 grocery pick-up events at five campuses. The college partners with the Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB) at the Riverside and Hays campuses and Hill Country Community Ministries at the Cypress Creek and San Gabriel campuses as part of their Fresh Food For All program. Foundation Communities initiated a pick-up at the Eastview Campus that was then taken over by an ongoing partnership there with El Buen Samaritano.
ACC partnered with El Buen Samaritano in April 2023 to launch a new Produce Box Program. Students were able to pre-order a produce box filled with fruits, vegetables, and grains and pick it up at the Eastview or Highland Campus every Wednesday. Produce boxes also were regularly distributed to students in Adult Education classes, at ACC’s Children’s Lab School, and to parenting students and families through the Student Advocacy Center.
For more information on when free grocery pick-ups are scheduled on ACC campuses and to sign up to lend a hand at an event, visit austincc.edu/groceries.
To receive regular emails about the free grocery pick-ups, produce boxes, and other essential resources, visit the Social Support Resources Get Connected webpage or email [email protected].
If you have any questions or are interested in getting involved, contact Paula McDermott, Social Support Resource Development director, at [email protected].
Post updated Monday, October 30