Central Texas Food Bank, Hays County Pet Resource Center to host food drive

HAYS COUNTY — The Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB) and Hays County Pet Resource Center (Hays PRC) will host a second drive-up food distribution for people and pets this weekend. Pet food for cats and dogs will be provided in addition to the normal food distribution. The event is open to anyone in Hays County and pets do not need to be present to receive pet food. Assistance in Spanish will also be available. This is the second pet food distribution event held in Buda; in March, the organizations served more than 250 families in need of pet food assistance. "The affordability of pet food can be a barrier for families,” said Lee Ann Shenefiel, Austin Pets Alive! executive advisor and project coordinator. “The Hays County Pet Resource Center supports people and pets by providing access to these local services and helps keep pets out of the shelter system and together with their families.” "We’re excited to continue this partnership with Hays County Pet Resource Center to ensure that families, including pets, have access to food," said Sari Vatske, president and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank. "Oftentimes, families face difficult decisions and make tradeoffs, so we want to ensure that those tradeoffs don't include surrendering or not feeding a beloved pet." Volunteer opportunities are available ahead of the event to distribute flyers throughout Hays County public locations and help is needed during the event. Volunteers are needed to help set up, greet people, distribute food, gather data and tear down from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 25. Those who are available to share flyers to promote the event in public spaces, or are interested in volunteering at the food distribution event, should contact haysinfo@austinpetsalive.org. The event will be held from 9:30-11 a.m. on Saturday, May 25 at McCormick Middle School in Buda.