The Austin Chamber recently donated 1,010 cans, or 709 meals, for Central Texas families in need. During its internal Red, White, and Food Challenge, Chamber employees gathered healthy canned food items including tuna, peanut butter, chicken, natural fruit, and veggies with low or no salt.

“We are currently feeding 46,000 Central Texans in need,” said Adiee Gonzales, Community Events Coordinator of the Central Texas Food Bank. “None of this would be possible without the generosity of individuals and groups such as the Austin Chamber team.”

Approximately 15.8 million U.S. households, or one in eight, are considered food insecure. Texas alone has more than 4 million people who can’t provide enough food for their household due to the lack of resources.

More than 17,000 volunteers put their heart and soul into the Central Texas Food Bank through their time and commitment to make a difference in the lives of others. And you can too. Businesses can volunteer their services to the Central Texas Food Bank the following ways:

• sorting food in the warehouse
• serving food in the community kitchen
• volunteering at a mobile food pantry
• serving as a volunteer ambassador
• volunteer your company services in their corporate offices
• hosting nutrition education courses, or
• cultivating crops in their community garden

Companies can also double their impact through the Matching Gift Challenge. In partnership with the Gates and Stumberg families, for every $10 you donate to the Central Texas Food Bank, the challenge doubles your impact. The $10 amount provides 80 meals to residents. The Central Texas Food Bank hopes to raise 1 million meals this summer.

As a leader in the fight against hunger, the Central Texas Food Bank has nourished hungry civilians for the past 35 years. Last year, the Central Texas Food Bank provided 31 million meals to people who needed it through the help and support of private, government, and charitable partners.

For more ways on how you can help the Central Texas Food Bank, visit their website here.