Here's Where To Find Water, Meals In The Austin Area

AUSTIN, TX — The arctic air from Canada that sent temperatures in the Austin area well below freezing last week and left thousands without access to power and running water has made its way back north, but the devastation left behind is far from gone.

With some residents still struggling to access clean drinking water, and others purging their refrigerators of spoiled food, organizations throughout the Austin area are partnering up to offer necessities to residents in need.

Here's where you can find food and ready-to-eat meals in the Austin area.

Austin-Travis County

Meals are available through the City of Austin, Travis County, ConnectATX, the Austin school district and other community partners throughout the city.

Friday, Feb. 26:

Food Distribution - Millennium Youth Complex, 1156 Hargrave St.

• Noon - 8 p.m. (while supplies last)
• Drive-thru preferred; Walk-ups accepted too
• Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs) are meals that can be consumed without the need for cooking or heating. They are being provided by the Red Cross.
• One case of water will be distributed per vehicle/pickup.

Home-bound Austinites can sign up to have meals dropped off at their home by calling (512) 806-0800. Other residents who need food but cannot make it to the Millennium Complex are asked to call 2-1-1 or 512-806-0800 to be connected with resources.

Residents are asked to follow COVID-19 safety protocols such as social distancing and wearing face mask coverings.

Austin Independent School District

Austin ISD offers free seven-day meal packs at more than 40 locations throughout the city every Thursday. Time slots for those locations are from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The school district states meal packs are free for any child younger than 19, for those older than 19 who utilize special education resources, or those who are enrolled in school to complete the requirements for a high school diploma.

Families using curbside pickup are advised to stay in their cars and not enter buildings, the release states. Families who come by the meal sites by walking, biking or transit may still receive food outside the campuses. Meals are served cold to be taken home and reheated.

The release states parents or caregivers may receive free meals if they are accompanying children and have documentation for those whom they are picking meals up for.

Central Texas Food Bank

Central Texas Food Bank will host a drive-thru and walk-up grocery distribution event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27 at the KIPP School South Campus located at 5107 IH 35 in Austin.

Attendees are asked to allow space in the trunk of their cars for a box of groceries. Walk-up customers can also obtain a box of groceries.

A number of other food banks in the Austin area offer both groceries and hot meals. Find a food bank near you using the Central Texas Food Bank website.

United Way ATX

United Way ATX will distribute food, water and essential items to people in need from Thursday, Feb. 25 to Monday, March 1 in Austin. United Way said essential items will vary by location but may include diapers, formula and hygiene supplies.

Friday, Feb, 26:
• noon at Millennium Youth Entertainment Center - 1154 Hargrave St.

Saturday, Feb. 27:
• 10 a.m. at Guerrero-Thompson Elementary - 102 E. Rundberg Lane

Monday, March 1:
• 10 a.m. at Dobie Early College Prep - 1200 E. Rundberg Lane

Water Distribution

Drinkable, bottled water is also distributed at six locations in the Austin area on a first-come, first-served basis. All sites are open to anyone who drives through or walks up.

On its website, the City of Austin asked residents who are able to purchase bottled water to continue to do so.

Drive-thru distribution attendees are asked to leave their doors or trunks unlocked so a volunteer can place a case of water in the car. Walk-up attendees should bring a cart or carrier large enough to hold one case of water.

Sites will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (or until supplies run out) on Friday, Feb. 26:

• Onion Creek Soccer Complex, 5600 E. William Cannon Dr.
• Creedmoor Community Center, 5008 Hartung Ln., in Creedmoor

Distributions are limited to one case of water per household, the city said. Residents are encouraged to recycle plastic bottles and jugs instead of throwing them in the trash.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimated that in 2020, more than 50 million Americans would not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.

Patch editor Meagan Falcon contributed to this report.