Austin-based Central Texas Food Bank to open second location in Waco

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - The leading hunger-relief nonprofit in Central Texas based in Austin is getting ready to open its second facility in Waco.

The Central Texas Food Bank plans to open an 11.3-acre facility which will include a warehouse, sorting facility, public food pantry and even a garden on Gholson Road in March.

The nonprofit provides equitable access to nutritious food for people throughout its 21-county service area and said that recent studies showed that the greater Waco area was in dire need of help.

McLennan County currently faces food insecurity rates higher than the national average, the nonprofit says, with 19% of the population affected and nearly 25% of children impacted.

“Our new Waco facility will help us change that by enabling us to provide fresh, perishable food at a higher volume to the entire community,” the nonprofit says.

Sari Vatske is the Central Texas Food Bank President and CEO and says families are struggling just to put food on the table.

The nonprofit can fill in that gap.

“We are seeing an increased need in food insecurity larger than we’ve ever seen before including the peak of the pandemic,” Vatske said. With increased food prices, cost of transportation, cost of living, often times food is often the first thing to be cut from household budgets. We’re there to ensure that families have access to what they need most."

The nonprofit says they’re in need of funds and as well as volunteers.

For more information you can go to centraltexasfoodbank.org.

The Central Texas Food Bank is this week’s TFNB Your Bank for Life Charity Champion.

As a chosen nonprofit, they’ll receive free leadership training and a marketing campaign.

The nonprofit will also be recognized at Baylor’s home game this Saturday.

The new facility will be located at 1402 Gholson Road.

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