HCCM E-News March 2010

Families Need Your Help

Some of our Food Pantry shelves are completely bare and we are in urgent need of food donations to help feed families in need.

You can help by coordinating a food drive with your church, business, club, organization, scout troop, etc. Use these links for information on How to Schedule and Organize a Food Drive and for a Shopping List of the most needed food items.

We need to schedule a number of food drives immediately and for the coming months to ensure a consistent flow of food into the Food Pantry. Anything you, your church, business or organization can do to help will be greatly appreciated by needy families in our community.

"Thank You for Your Kindness"

A Note from a Grateful Client

"I came in today and you opened your hearts to me. Thank you for your kindness in giving me needed groceries. You can't begin to realize what this means to me. God bless you all."

In turn, we say thank you to all our partners and supporters who help us put food on the table and provide clothing and financial assistance for families in need. We couldn't do it without you!

HCCM Board of Directors

Strategic Planning Session

HCCM Board of Directors conducted a day-long strategic planning session in January. "The major focus for the year is fundraising and developing new sources of income for HCCM," said President Tim Lowke. "Monetary donations are not keeping pace with budget needs and the increased demand for services is diminishing our resources." To aid in this endeavor, one of the goals for the year is to increase public visibility of HCCM and our services and to raise awareness of the critical need in our community.

Back row, left to right: Nick Audino, Past President; Cindy Wheeler, Secretary; Cliff Wells, Bruce Bonner, Ron Reynolds, Tim Lowke, President; and Robert McElwaine.

Front row, left to right: Mike Foye, Treasurer; Jessie Hererra; and Connie Sowell, Vice President.

Many Thanks to Mike Foye

Mike Foye resigned his position on the board of directors in March to focus his attention on business and family interests. We are grateful to Mike for his year and a half of service on the board and for his leadership as treasurer. HCCM is a better organization today because of Mike's participation and his passion for our mission. Many thanks, Mike!

Austin Christian Fellowship

ACF Youth Provide Helping Hands

Kudos to the ACF youth and youth leaders who provided helping hands at HCCM on a recent Saturday. These energetic and hard-working volunteers sorted and moved food, stocked Food Pantry shelves, and performed other odd jobs around HCCM. Thanks, Austin Christian Fellowship, for helping us make a difference in the lives of families in need!

Neighborhood Food Drive

Oak Ridge & Lakeline Ranch Residents Collect Food for Food Pantry

Under the leadership of neighborhood resident and HCCM volunteer Donn Long, families in the Oak Ridge neighborhood in Leander participated in a food drive to collect desperately needed food for the Food Pantry. And with the help of Shelby Womack, the effort quickly spread to the Lakeline Ranch subdivision, bringing the combined total to nearly 1,000 items collected for the Food Pantry.

Donn & Sarah Long Donn Long & Shelby Womack

"This was our first effort and the response was very positive," said Long. "It was a lot of fun and I'm excited about doing this again. Many of the residents commented that this was a great idea for neighborhood involvement and a great way to help needy families in our community. An added bonus for me was the opportunity to meet neighbors from all parts of our subdivision and let people know about the good work of HCCM. It was very gratifying that several of the residents left notes on their filled grocery bags asking what more they could do to help."

The Long and Womack families planned the drive, delivered fliers and grocery bags door to door, picked up and sorted the food, and then delivered the food to the Food Pantry. HCCM is grateful to the Long and Womack families and all the Oak Ridge and Lakeline Ranch residents who participated. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of families in need!

Thanks Leander H-E-B Plus!

A big thank you also goes to Leander H-E-B Plus! for donating 500 grocery bags for the Oak Ridge and Lakeline Ranch food drive.

Greater Leander Chamber of Commerce

Leadership Class Tours HCCM on Nonprofit Day

Members of the 2010 Greater Leander Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class toured our facility and delivered food to the Food Pantry during their annual Nonprofit Day. Each year the day includes site visits to a few nonprofits in the community and a luncheon with other nonprofit representatives. The class also visited Meals on Wheels and helped deliver meals.

Chamber President Mary Bradshaw commented, "This is always a favorite day for class participants. It gives them an opportunity to learn first-hand about critical needs in our community and consider the many volunteer opportunities that are available."

HCCM is closed on Good Friday, April 2.