Every year, the New Braunfels Food Bank honors its Hunger Fighters of the Year—individuals and organizations who have shown exemplary service in the fight against hunger in the community. The awards are presented at Locally Grown, an annual farm-to-table fundraising event that benefits the food bank in its efforts to provide food to those in need in Comal and surrounding counties. There are four award categories: Food, Money, Time, and Voice. This year, Texas Lutheran University has been chosen to receive the Voice award, which recognizes an individual or organization for spreading the word about the work of the food bank.
“The combined efforts from TLU staff and students have been a blessing,” says Nina Salinas, development manager at the food bank. “The team has been so supportive with advocacy in voice to share our mission!” TLU has played host to several food distribution events through the food bank, and the TLU nursing program has taken an especially active role in the food bank’s mission since 2017.
TLU New Braunfels Campus Executive and Assistant Director of Nursing Amy Hart will receive the award on behalf of the university. Hart says that connecting nursing students to the food bank has proven to be beneficial to both parties. “Our students are identifying resources for when they graduate,” she says. “They go into low-income settings to meet the residents. They spend time at the food bank packing orders and preparing the meals that go out. They get first-hand information to understand at least a snippet of what our community needs.”
Hart points out that the food bank “does a whole lot more than food.” It also works to educate the public, making it a valuable clinical partner for TLU Nursing. For example, nursing students collaborate with a nutritionist to evaluate meals, assist in preparing the meals, and then work with the recipients of those meals through services such as blood pressure screenings.
“The students who are present bring a vibrant presentation to our neighbors,” says Salinas. “They quickly absorb the information for the week and are able to confidently communicate the material. We also wanted to highlight the work we do together with our onsite distribution. This collaboration has been going on for a few years now and we truly appreciate the opportunity to work onsite and see the students attending and receiving services.”
Hart says she’s honored to accept the Voice award for TLU. “I’m thrilled and humbled and awed.”
Salinas, in turn, says the food bank is honored to share its purpose with the university. “Thank you so much for all you do and for standing strong with us to fight hunger!”