Highland Food Pantry- Action Groups / Events
At the Highland Food Pantry on Walnut, we host several events throughout the year. Here is more information about the various events and action groups we hold.
At the Highland Food Pantry on Walnut, we host several events throughout the year. Here is more information about the various events and action groups we hold.
The Kids Eat Free Summer Meals program was created in 2019 under the direction of the Abilene Hunger Coalition, formed in 2018. The KEF program collaborates with various community partners to help “fill the 3-week gap” and continue to offer free meals to children and families after the AISD Free and Reduced Lunch program ends in July and when school begins in August.
Our job is to recruit community partners to sponsor host sites, supply volunteers, or provide free meals during the 3-week gap every summer to students and their families.
Abilene kids are hungry! Nearly 70% of AISD students are currently on the federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program. Our goal for the Kids Eat Free Summer Meals program is to address the hunger issue during the 3-week gap at the end of July when AISD ends their program and their program begins again at the beginning of the new school year.
Make an impact on the lives of children in your community. One recipient from 2020 said: "Seeing friendly people was a joy! This time without much social interaction is tough, but even the 2 minutes of these interactions were great." Be the reason someone feels the joy of having a meal this summer.
Since 2018, the Abilene Hunger Coalition has partnered with other agencies and the Abilene Independent School District to find ways to fight hunger among AISD families. Each year, we partner to host a “Pop-up Food Pantry” for AISD families. The pop-up food pantry is in the form of a curbside pickup and approximately 200 to 300 AISD families on the free and reduced lunch program are invited each year through an application process to participate. The Abilene Hunger Coalition is partners with AISD Social Workers, School Counselors, and the Community in Schools organization to identify these families. We specifically provide a Thanksgiving feast for families to enjoy for their Thanksgiving meal each year.
You can help support AISD families enjoy a Thanksgiving meal by signing up to volunteer!
Benefitting the Highland Food Pantry
Sack Sunday, November 14
The Highland Food Pantry on Walnut annually hosts the Sack Sunday Food Offering since November 1985. Participate with us in the restoration of Abilene through sharing food with our neighbors and community.
On Sunday, bring your offering to worship! Some reminders:
Smaller sizers are best: Bulk items are bagged into smaller portion sizes
Monetary Donations allow us to purchase items using our tax-exempt status at a much lower price through the West Central Texas Food Bank as well as purchase non-grocery and bulk food items. Baskets will be located at the front of the auditorium for monetary donations or you can text 73256 with the keyword HCOC PANTRY $____.
We need your help! Email to volunteer.
The Christmas Store has served Abilene for many years through the Highland Food Pantry on Walnut. People of the Abilene community have the opportunity to give back. At the same time, they receive points to shop at the Christmas store. All inventory is reliant on donated items. The items are new or in good condition, just like a store!
Points range from $1-$1.50 per point. The points vary depending on the number of participants and inventory.
Shop for yourself, your loved ones, or any essentials you might need!
The Christmas store annually operates on a December weekend.
Contact an agency that participates in the Christmas Store
If you cannot find an agency that participates in the Christmas Store, contact Becky Almanza:
For Agencies
If you foresee that your clients could benefit from shopping at the Christmas store, here are the steps you need to take:
Register your agency for the Christmas Store
Receive the forms to register your clients
Have your clients earn volunteer hours
Clients shop at the Christmas Store
The Freedom Fellowship (941 Chestnut) and Grace Fellowship (910 Cypress) Community Gardens exist to create and nurture community-run organic gardens. We are deeply committed to community pride and unity, teaching organic methods, and the preservation of open spaces. We are proud to offer 60% of the produce from each garden directly to the dinner tables of low-income neighbors through the Highland Food Pantry. We encourage gardeners to create native habitats for biodiversity, encouraging sustainable living techniques and recycling. We honor diverse abilities, ages, and cultures, all gardeners are welcome!
Contact: Joe Almanza (Head Gardener) at 325-669-1661 or email to set up individual garden workdays or to set up a Garden Workday for your small or large groups.
A ministry of the Highland Church of Christ, Faith and Finances Abilene is a financial education course about money and how to manage it in light of God's design for our lives.
Allies (mentors) promote and sustain individuals in the Faith & Finance program. Allies are Mutual learners on the journey with participants. An ally may be placed with 2-3 participants to provide encouragement, advocacy, and supportive friendship as he/she strives to become economically self-sufficient.
Responsibilities