The Hope Food Pantry at Trinity United Methodist Church provides much-needed food to families in our community each week. On an average month, the Pantry provides over 400 children with nutritious food and other staples such as diapers, juice, soap, etc. As Austin's unemployment rate rises, so does the number of families knocking on our doors in need of help. Our empty shelves are a strong reminder of the increased demand for help and our decreasing supply of funding. We are constantly in need of volunteers and resources to help us with our mission. The Pantry is a fun place to volunteer and the experience of helping the families who come to us is very rewarding.

Mission

We help alleviate hunger by providing nutritious food, personal care items, and social service information to those who need them. Our hope is to sustain, strengthen, and educate needy individuals and families within the community. We also strive to give people opportunities for personal and spiritual growth through meaningful service.

About Us

The Hope Food Pantry is a 100% volunteer-staffed and donation-funded non-profit organization. The Pantry serves over nine zip codes in the Austin area by providing bags of groceries to those who fall below TEXCAP income guidelines. Trinity United Methodist Church provides space and utilities at no cost to the Pantry, so 100% of all donations go directly to the people who are served.

Eligibility

We serve the following zip codes: 78703, 78705, 78722, 78723, 78751, 78752, 78754, 78756, 78757.

Families in the zip codes we serve are allowed to come once a month. Families not in our zip codes will receive help one time and will be given a list of pantries that do serve their zip code.

Eligible families must fall below TEXCAP Income
Eligibility Guidelines. Clients are asked to bring a picture I.D. each time they visit.

On the first visit, clients need to bring proof of address, for example an I.D., Green Card, lease, utility bill, Medicaid card, etc.

Exceptions are made on a case by case basis.

Hours of Operation and Our Process

Assistance is available each Thursday and Friday morning. Clients should be at the pantry no later than 9:45 a.m. We serve approximately 20 families each day we are open. So that each family has an equal opportunity to be served, we use a lottery that selects which families we will serve that day and in what order they will be served.

A file containing basic information is created for each family. This information is confirmed each time the client visits. Social service referrals are given as needed. Pantry services are provided via volunteers and one part-time paid executive director.

Groceries we try to provide at each visit include canned vegetables, canned fruit, soup, rice, beans, pasta, pasta sauce, cereal, juice, snacks, bread, canned meat, frozen meat, peanut butter, fresh vegetables, and fresh fruits.

Special requests that we are sometimes able to fill include Pampers, baby food, cleaning supplies, and hygiene items.

The Pantry is closed on most holidays to allow volunteers time with their families. Call 420-0710 to confirm our hours.

 

Location and Contact Information

The Pantry is located at 600 E. 50th Street, at the alley entrance to Trinity United Methodist Church (one block off Duval Street). [CLICK FOR MAP]

The closest Capital Metro Bus lines are #7 Duval, #350 Airport and  #15 Red River.

To contact Hope Food Pantry, call 420-0710 or e-mail the church office at mail@tumc.org with the subject line "Hope Food Pantry."

How You Can Help

Volunteers -- If you are interested in joining a great bunch of folks in the fight against hunger, we have a number of volunteer opportunities.  Please contact the Executive Director.

    Earley Ullrich, Hope Food Pantry Executive Director
    Pantry #:  512-420-0710
    Cell #:  512-587-0714
    Email:  swdolphins@yahoo.com

Food & Other Donations -- All food items, diapers, hygiene products, other household essentials are appreciated. Drop-offs may be scheduled by calling the church office (459-5835) or the Executive Director (above).

Financial Contributions -- Ongoing or one-time cash assistance. (We get most of our groceries from the Capital Area Food Bank where we pay a shared maintenance fee of 15¢ a lb., so monetary donations go further than donations of groceries.)

Donations may be sent to:

    Hope Food Pantry
    600 E. 50th Street
    Austin, TX 78751

Marketing -- Help Hope Food Pantry share information with the public and potential volunteers.

Prayers -- Keep Hope Food Pantry and our clients in your prayers!

Our Partners

"Within the face of hunger there is a glimmer of Hope."