When Texans are in need, their neighbors step up to help. It’s always been that way, and the Spirit Golf Association’s Spirit Food Fund is the latest example.
The Spirit Food Fund recently announced its expansion to provide meals for people and families affected by COVID-19 in Texas. The TGA partnered with the SGA on the charity campaign, which began in May and initially focused on the Houston area. Now the Spirit Food Fund has grown to include the Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth and Georgetown communities.
A longtime ally of the TGA, the SGA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of amateur golf for the benefit of supporting core charities that provide basic human needs including food, education and health programs and services.
SGA launched the Spirit Food Fund campaign with a lead gift of $500,000 from SGA founder and Whispering Pines Golf Club owner Corby Robertson, Jr., and his family, as well as The Cullen Foundation and the Cullen Trust for Higher Education. Prominent supporters of the campaign include the likes of Jim Nantz and Stacy Lewis
“It is our responsibility to be there to support our neighbors and communities in need,” Robertson said.
As of early August, the Spirit Food Fund had raised nearly $1.34 million with a goal of reaching $2 million. The money has provided more than 3.6 million meals to food-insecure Texans who have been impacted by the ongoing pandemic.
To contribute to the Spirit Food Fund or to volunteer, click here or text SpiritFoodFund to 41444 with your donation amount.
In Austin, the SGA initiative united with The University of Texas and Dell Medical School to support the 1 in 4 households currently struggling to put food on the table. In collaboration with Good Apple, a produce delivery company run by UT students, Dell Medical School and other local partners, the Spirit Food Fund hopes to raise $250,000 for the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” program, an emergency grocery delivery service supporting people 55 and older or with underlying health conditions.
The Cullen Trust for Higher Education kicked off the campaign with a $100,000 gift. So far, Stay Home, Stay Healthy has served more than 16,000 people in the Austin area. “By launching the Spirit Food Fund, we’re teeing up golfers, Longhorns and community members to make a difference,” Robertson said. “We are grateful for the opportunity to team up with UT, Dell Med and other Central Texas organizations to feed our neighbors.” Gifts to the Spirit Food Fund support the delivery of fresh produce and grocery staples to older adults and people at risk of serious illness from COVID-19, helping them stay safe by avoiding crowded grocery stores. Your gift of any size will feed our neighbors in need.
In Fort Worth, the SGA is raising funds for the Tarrant Area Food Bank and North Texas Food Bank. Donations will be used to provide hunger relief in the Dallas/Fort Worth region associated with the COVID-19 crisis.
The need for food banks has risen by 60% and that number continues to soar as the economic crisis worsens, according to Stephen J.C. Raeside, Executive VP of Development for the Tarrant Area Food Bank.
“Jointly, the two food banks have provided more than 35 million meals to victims of the COVID-19 crisis,” Raeside said, noting that 40% of post-pandemic clients had never used a food bank or thought they would need food assistance. “They need nutritious food to stay healthy and have one less worry.”
Raeside said each dollar donated through this campaign will provide three to five meals.
“Only by uniting through efforts like this campaign can we traverse such a dire national emergency,” he said. “We’re thrilled to work with such respected golf organizations and welcome their ability to help leverage the generosity and compassion of golfers in helping hungry neighbors.”
Donations to the Tarrant Area Food Bank can be made here.
In Georgetown, The Cullen Foundation and Southwestern University teamed up for a $100,000 donation to The Caring Place, citing a 156% rise in the need for its services due to the COVID-19 crisis.
The Caring Place provides services to more than 6,600 individuals in Georgetown and the surrounding area. Last year the organization provided $773,319 in direct services. This year, the pandemic and economic downturn are expected to significantly increase the needs of the community.
Ginna O’Connor, Executive Director of The Caring Place, said the funds would be used for its food program, food pantry, rent assistance, clothing, medical support and transportation assistance among other programs.
“We deeply appreciate the Cullen Foundation’s generous donation to The Caring Place,” O’Connor said. “During this challenging time when we have so many neighbors who are struggling to make ends meet, this gift will help us continue to fulfill our mission.”
To contribute to The Caring Place, click here.
Robertson’s keen vision is to utilize the network of golfers and the SGA’s charitable mission to increase support for community organizations at a time when their constituent needs are most acute.
The Spirit Food Fund is one of many food-insecurity initiatives the SGA is launching to feed people throughout the state during the pandemic. For more information or to support the Fund, click here.