Sponsored by Central Texas Telephone Cooperative and Central Texas Communications - Friday, September 26th on the Courthouse Square

MANY PERSONAL LIVES IN SAN SABA COUNTY ARE TOUCHED BY YOUR GRACIOUS DONATIONS TO THE FOOD DRIVE EACH YEAR. . . .

In the Austin newsletter from the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas it states that there are more than 400,000 Central Texans living with hunger and food insecurity. Milk prices have increased from last year to this year by over $1 a gallon; worldwide food prices from 2004-2006 have increased significantly: corn prices rose 54%, wheat - 34%, dried beans - 11.5% and white bread 9.6%. This trend accelerated in 2007, due to continued demand for biofuels and drought in major producing countries. Wheat prices have risen more than 35 percent since the 2006 harvest, while corn prices have increased nearly 28 percent. And - we all know how the price of gas has increased. However, we also are all aware that income has in no way increased at this same rate. Because of these increases we continue to see an increase in the number of families served here in San Saba County.

These all seem like boring facts but they are VERY real to many people in San Saba County who must make hard choices every day. Pay the electric bill or buy groceries? Buy my medicine or buy groceries? Gas in the car to go to work – that’s an obvious choice for most of us, but what if you had to choose between that and supper for your family? The Food Pantry deals with families every week that if it weren’t for the generosity of the people of San Saba County they would literally be going hungry.

Several families come in for a one-time visit just to get them through. Elderly people on fixed incomes with way too much month left at the end of their money – the Food Pantry is there for them each month. Unexpected injuries on the job, job layoffs, sickness, and just plain not enough money to go around – all these are all too common right here in San Saba County. Thankfully, there are people here who care about their neighbors – even the ones they don’t know. Citizens who are blessed to have enough to share – and care enough to do so.

Thank you in advance for your participation in the Cindy Hayes Memorial Food Drive, September 26th! Let’s make this year our best ever!