More than 100K Central Texas kids are experiencing food insecurity

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Food insecurity continues to be a growing issue across the nation and here in Texas we have a big problem.

According to Feeding Texas, the Lone Star State has the highest food insecurity population in the nation, with 5.3 million Texans facing food insecurity.

Many of those facing food insecurity are just kids who sometimes go without eating.

Within Hays, Travis and Williamson counties there are more than 100 thousand children facing food insecurity.

Central Texas Food Bank is trying to help though as they are partnering with school districts to set up food pantries around Central Texas.

One of those food pantries was set up in Gallindo Elementary in south Austin where parents say it's helping them keep their kids fed and the lights on.

"This pantry they make me save at least a hundred dollars a week," said Galindo parent Karina Aguillon who uses the food pantry.

Aguillon says the pantry offers fresh fruit and vegetables and a lot of foods her kids love to eat.

"But everything that I cook they need to eat it," says Aguillon.

Galindo Elementary Principal Natascha Barreto-Romero says this is the second year the pantry has been at the school and it has made a big difference.

"It has been an amazing resource for our families," said Barreto-Romero. "We have about 92 percent of our students who are economically disadvantaged."

According to the Central Texas Food Bank between Hays, Williamson and Travis Counties there are currently 104,735 children who are food insecure.

"The need for food assistance for our kiddos is on the rise," said Sari Vatske the CEO of Central Texas Food Bank.

Vatske says partnering with schools through their Feeding Futures School Pantry Program and adding pantries like the one in Gallindo is one way to fight food insecurity.

"This year we are excited to open our 9th school pantry that we will have for students and that is in addition to our college pantries as well," Vatske said.

The Feeding Futures School Pantry Program currently has pantries in Austin ISD, Hays CISD, Del Valle ISD, Bastrop ISD and Lockhart ISD.

Central Texas Food Bank is always looking for volunteers and donations, if you would like to help click here.