King Feed rallies, pivots

Upwards of 600 supporters came out to show solidarity with King Feed last Sunday following a fire in January that left both owners and community members stunned.

Organized by Blanco Brew, the 12 Kings Car Club, and with support from local vendors, and the Barnabas Connection, the fundraiser drew well-wishers, clients and friends, car club enthusiasts, as well as the curious who wanted to glimpse the business’ charred interior. Brisk winds did not deter supporters from bidding generously on silent auction items and purchasing goods from the outdoor vendors who donated generously from their sales for the cause.

Blanco Brew owner Rachel Emry, who brought the 12 Kings on board for the fundraiser, estimates the event may have raised approximately $20,000. When asked what prompted her to undertake the appeal, she said, “I know I needed to help my neighbor. I know what it’s like to have the rug pulled out from underneath and when it happened to me, the Wimberley community came out to let me know that I was not alone. I wanted Bryan and Laurie to know that they were not alone, either. I knew the community could help them keep their heads above water and to take the deep breath they’d need to get through the repairs.” King Feed is co-owned by former employees, Laurie Ward and Bryan Toifl.

Bruce Vanderzyde, Events Committee Chairman of the 12 Kings said, “This has been a tremendous turnout. We’ve been selling King Feed hats and t-shirts all morning and passing buckets in the crowd to collect cash. We think this is a record. The most cars we’ve ever had to a rally was 217, and we’re well over the 300 mark today. This has never happened before.”

It was “all hands on deck” at Blanco Brew as the staff worked diligently to keep up with customers who ordered beverages as they perused the silent auction items gathered by Emry. Five baristas, two bakers and Emry waited on guests throughout the day. The band “Island Texas” played music for the crowd.

The 12 Kings invited five area car clubs to show their support, drawing drivers from as far away as San Antonio, Austin, San Marcos and other destinations. Bill Conlee of the Good News Garage of Lake Travis brought his restored ‘47 Diamond T Ramp Truck and William and Jan Rigsby brought their ‘55 Bel Air to the gathering. King Feed’s connection to the 12 Kings came easily as they are the oldest standing sponsor of the club. Bill Ward, the husband of co-owner Laurie Ward, is a former President of the 12 Kings.

KEYE, the CBS affiliate in Austin, came out to cover the fundraiser. They found the parking lots of Blanco Brew, Brookshire Brothers’ grocery store and its Tobacco Barn and gas station filled, as did other observers.

Co-owners Toifl and Ward said they were “overwhelmed with gratitude for the community’s show of support.” They were on hand to talk with many well-wishers and confirmed that the insurance company assessed the building’s interior as “a total loss.”

“The good news is that we have been released to sell everything outside the building, which means that the nursery and patio items are now available to the public,” said Ward.

Thanks to generous volunteer labor, temporary buildings were set up last week behind the main King Feed building to house retail sales, offices and overstock. Volunteers from Teen Challenge helped clear paths on either side of the greenhouse so that the public may enter the patio area and nursery from what was previously the rear of the building. They credited the Knights of Columbus with paying the first month’s rent on the temporary buildings that could be in place for up to a year as repairs take place. A white metal building out back will house the feed, seed, and pet food items. Due to arrive this week are truckloads of plants and other items as business resumes from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Ron Robert, 12 Kings Car Club president, had this to say about the record turnout. “King Feed has supported the community for 50 years, it is easy for Wimberley to give back to them.”

Online donations can be made at barnabasconnects. org by clicking the Donate Today button in the site’s upper right hand corner. Look for the King Feed Relief Fund.