Community members in need of food pantry items can now sign up for Bobcat Bounty’s new distribution plan taking place every week to help those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The student-run, on-campus food pantry changes from a grocery shopping-like service to a drive-thru, social-distancing style pantry distribution. The new plan allows eligible participants to sign up for one distribution per week through Bobcat Bounty’s social media or website each Tuesday.
Pre-bagged distributions then take place every Thursday outside of the Family and Consumer Sciences Building Courtyard in the parking lot west of the building facing Sessom Drive, from 12-2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
Those with vehicles will pull into the parking lot and remain in their cars as staff members place groceries in their trunks.
On-foot clients can expect a line with markers every six feet to maintain social distancing while receiving groceries. After staff members collect each client’s information, groceries will be placed on a table and made available once that staff member safely distances themself.
“We had a high influx of students requesting food, which, of course, is a commonality every week,” said Kelsey Walling, graduate assistant for Bobcat Bounty. “A lot of our clients are on campus and don’t have access to a vehicle; we still, of course, want to provide this service (for those people).”
The bags, containing food from the Hays County Food Bank, include healthy protein items, whole grains, non-whole grains, fresh produce and non-perishable good items.
In the event that sign-ups fill up quickly, Bobcat Bounty encourages students still in need of food to reach out through email, and it will make arrangements for them to attend a distribution. Items not collected, or excess materials, will return to the Hays County Food Bank.
Anyone with questions regarding the operations of Bobcat Bounty should reach out to bobcat[email protected]. The organization can also be found on social media @bobcatbounty.
Individuals concerned about possible exposure to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider or the Hays County Local Health Department at 512.393.5520. For additional information about COVID-19, visit the Texas Department of State Health Services or the Centers for Disease Control website.
The University Star’s COVID-19 coverage can be found here.