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

Beginning June 11, the pantry will be offering free produce and baked goods on Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. until it runs out. Everyone is welcome, and no pre-registration is required.

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.
• Pantries are specifically exempt from the city/county Shelter-in-Place order
• We are compliant with all Central Texas Food Bank and Diocese of Austin directives
• We will move to 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
• We will strictly enforce social distancing, both for clients and volunteers
• Additional hygiene measures have been implemented to better protect against spread of the virus and all other bacteria

• We plan to be open 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Monday-Wednesday.
• The lobby and the back room will NOT be open to clients.
• Clients will be asked to take a number at the back door, and will be called to the door 3 at a time. AGAIN, CLIENTS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ENTER THE BUILDING UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
• Clients will be asked to leave the property once they are served.
• At this time we plan to distribute food, bus passes and prescription vouchers.

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 our morning pick-ups at HEB.  If you don’t mind getting up early, we can use help at 6 am every day.
• We also could use 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.

• Cash or online donations are always welcome and appreciated
• Non-perishable food is accepted at the food pantry, in the green 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.

Benny Flusche
Director of St. Ignatius Martyr Food Pantry
bflusche@st-ignatius.org