LOCKHART, Texas — Many families are struggling to put food on the table in Central Texas, including in Caldwell County.
More than 20% of children are facing food insecurity in the county. That number jumps even higher at Plum Creek Elementary, where more than 80% of children rely on free or reduced meals.
With that big of a need, in partnership with the Central Texas Food Bank, H-E-B and the Lockhart Independent School District, a food pantry is now open at the elementary school.
"[We can] not only feed the students of the school but ensure their families they have the nutrition they need as well," Central Texas Food Bank CEO Sari Vatske said.
The food bank and H-E-B provide everything from meat to pasta and canned goods.
"Our goal is to provide 30 meals per month per household," Vatske said.
Kristy Jackson, a single mother of seven, lives in Lockhart and has a son at Plum Creek Elementary. She works at a lawn care business and said it’s tough to put food on the table for her family with high cost of living in Central Texas.
"We struggle day to day, what can we get to feed a family of seven that going to going to cost us cost us under $10,” Jackson said.
She said she will take advantage of the pantry.
"I think it will [help] not only me but a lot of the other parents who struggle day to day to see what their kids are going to eat for dinner," she said.
Plum Creek Principal Jamee Griebel said the school had a soft opening for the pantry a couple weeks ago. She said she's already seen it have a huge impact.
"Families have smiles on their faces knowing, 'I am going home and going to be fully fed. I don't have to worry about that,'" Griebel said. "Just them coming in the door every morning, more energized, excited and happy and ready to learn. That's what we are here for."
The district said the pantry is currently for Plum Creek students and their families. They are hoping to expand it the Lockhart community down the line.