St. Ignatius Martyr Food Pantry

St. Ignatius Martyr Campus
2303 Euclid Ave., Austin, Texas 78704

Monday - Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
(512) 442-0226

January 5, 2022

Dear friends,

December was a very busy month at the Food Pantry. We sponsored the Giving Tree in the foyer, which was for Becker Elementary School and Stonebriar Rehab center. Your generosity provided gifts for 100 needy children and 100 patients. The wide eyed look on their faces when we delivered piles of wrapped presents was truly a Christmas joy! The administrators of both places wanted me to pass on to you all how appreciative they were for bringing Christmas to those who needed it most.

 We had a prayer group feed the homeless an early Christmas breakfast on December 15. Thanks to Thelma Longoria and her ladies for sharing their Christmas Spirit with those in need! Kudos to Mary Hernandez, our Volunteer of the Year!

We had several food drives from St. Ignatius and San Juan Diego schools. Those drives, plus the food that was donated in the foyer, gave us more than 3800 pounds of food! We are still giving it out to our neighbors in need. I am so proud and humble to be a part of such a loving, giving parish.

Come visit us at our table in the Ministry Fair next weekend!

Richard Tucker
Director of St. Ignatius Food Pantry

The St. Ignatius Martyr Food Pantry is a ministry of St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church and is supported by donations from parishioners and other generous benefactors. The Food Pantry has been serving those in need since 1980.

The Food Pantry is a Gold Partner with the Central Texas Food Bank, and also receives donations from a number of local businesses including HEB, Moonlight Bakery, Starbucks, Papa John’s, Olive Garden, Red Lobster and Pizza Hut.

A team of 40 active volunteers put in nearly 800 hours each month.

• The Food Pantry will remain open regular hours (9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) Monday through Wednesday and maintain our existing frequency and residence location restrictions.
• We are compliant with all Central Texas Food Bank and Diocese of Austin directives
• We practice a pre-packaged food distribution model.  All families should get dry goods, canned fruits, vegetables and meats.  In addition, we will provide bread, frozen meat and fresh produce as available.
• The lobby and the back room are no longer open to clients; however, coffee and donuts are available outside under the tent.
• Clients will be asked to register at the window, and will be called to the door when their order is ready. AGAIN, CLIENTS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ENTER THE BUILDING UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
• Clients are asked to leave the property once they are served.
• At this time we plan to distribute food, bus passes and prescription vouchers.

The pantry offers free produce and baked goods on Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., or it runs out. Everyone is welcome, and no pre-registration is required.

The pantry provides food and hygiene supplies, offers infant food and diapers, offers assistance paying for medical prescriptions and distributes Capital Metro day bus passes to homeless men and women and those who reside in area zip codes 78704, 78741, 78744, 78745 and 78746. In addition, the Food Pantry assists those in underserved zip codes 78617 and 78748. This ministry is an equal opportunity provider.

Approximately 900 households are served each month, representing more than 2,000 individuals. Of these, approximately 35 – 45% are homeless. Homeless are eligible to receive food assistance twice a month; residents once per month.

Volunteering 

• Our most immediate need is for assistance with food pick-ups from our partner restaurants and grocery stores. Some of the pickups are early 6am, other later in the morning or afternoon.
• We also need help performing client intake interviews and fulfilling food orders during our operating hours.
• To help in this ministry volunteers must have a genuine desire to serve those in need and must complete Ethics & Integrity in Ministry (EIM) certification.
• Most volunteers work one day per week. Since the pandemic, we have been operating with a reduced number of volunteers. As we reopen, we encourage anyone who is interested to contact us about volunteer opportunities.  

Donating

• Cash or online donations are always welcome and appreciated
• Non-perishable food is accepted at the food pantry, in the baskets in the back of church or at the church office
• Household items including towels, blankets, backpacks, sleeping bags, laundry detergent etc. are always helpful
• Toiletries such as travel size shampoo, toothpaste, lotion, deodorant are always in demand for our hygiene kits.

• Travel size hygiene items – Razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand lotions, shampoo, and other hygiene.
• Reading Glasses – Sizes: 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 2.00, 2.25, 2.50, 2.75, 3.00, 3.25, and 3.50.
• Baby Diapers – Sizes:  3, 4, 5, & 6.
• Adult Diapers – Sizes:  Medium, Large, & Extra Large
• Baby Wipes
• Feminine hygiene products
• Backpacks
• Socks
• Insect Repellent – Spray Types
• Summer Time – Box Fans
• Rain Coats/Ponchos
• Umbrellas
• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Peanut Butter
• Pasta, Rice, Mac & Cheese, Ramen Noodles
• Beans of all types
• Dry Milk/Cereal/Instant Potatoes

Richard Tucker
Director of St. Ignatius Martyr Food Pantry
rtucker@st-ignatius.org