Left to right: San Marcos Mayor Daniel Guerrero, Hays County Food Bank Board Member Jane Hughson, City Council Member Shane Scott, Hays County Food Bank Community Relations Coordinator Jane Moore, Hays County Food Bank Executive Director Jerry Gracy, Hays County Food Bank Administrative and Media Support Coordinator Lisa Henggeler, and Hays County Food Bank Donor Development and Event Coordinator Christy Carter. PHOTO by DON ANDERS

Hays County commissioners and San Marcos council members recently allocated a combined $70,000 to the Hays County Food Bank and proclaimed October as “Turkeys Tackling Hunger” month.

The food bank has begun a campaign to provide Thanksgiving meal items for residents in need.

Last year, countywide donations made it possible to feed more than 2,100 families — some 8,800 people — throughout Hays County. With public support, food bank officials hope to feed up to 3,000 families this year, helping them enjoy the time-honored tradition of sharing a meal they can prepare together as a family in their home.

Citizens and groups may sponsor a family for $20 through Nov. 30 online at www.turkeystacklinghunger.org, or by mail to the food bank at 220 Herndon Street, San Marcos, TX 78666. To learn more about the food bank’s mission, ideal donations, or to make a general donation, go to the food bank’s website.

With the support of donations and the ability to purchase food in bulk, the Hays County Food Bank provides food year-round. Every $1 donated allows the food bank to purchase 12 pounds of food, and 91 percent of donations go to fund its mission of providing food for hungry people.

Hays County Pct. 3 Commissioner Will Conley is on the board of the food bank. The county, as part of its social services mandate, gave $25,000 to the food bank late last month. The county gave $27,500 to the food bank in fiscal year 2009, $27,300 in FY 2010, and $24,999.95 in FY 2011.

The City of San Marcos gave the food bank $45,000 late last month. The city gave $45,000 in FY 2009, $45,000 in FY 2010, and $40,000 in FY 2011.

Left to right: Hays County Judge Bert Cobb, Pct. 2 Commissioner Mark Jones, Hays County Food Bank Community Relations Coordinator Jane Moore, Pct. 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant, and food bank Executive Director Jerry Gracy.