The Austin Viper Young Men’s Service League has been busy this summer helping feed those in need.

“Thanks to the hard work during the shift (on June 9), these young men and their moms assembled more than 800 bags to feed approximately 3,000 people,” said Scott Reeves, Riverbend Church Missions & Outreach team chairman. “That is remarkable.” 

Later in June, Austin Viper YMSL helped distribute boxes filled with food in South Austin at Travis Heights. They placed food into trunks of approximately 250 cars. Each patron left the food line with between 30-50lbs of food in their trunk.

“As a platinum member of Central Texas Food Bank, Riverbend has organized a collaboration with other faith communities in our city to increase the impact to help Austin,” Reeves said. 

“Each week, more than 1,300 households and 4,500 individuals (are fed),” Reeves said. “Since COVID began and with our new processes, we have fed more than 60,000 people through the Harvest Blessings Food Pantry.”

Pre COVID-19 pandemic, weekly totals were significantly lower with an average of 500 households or 1,700 individuals served.

A portion of the food Riverbend distributes comes from the food bank. The emergency boxes they supply help the church provide non-perishables. 

“We (Riverbend) receives fresh produce, bread, dairy, meats, etc. from area partners and suppliers including H-E-B, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Starbucks, and Randalls,” Reeves said.  Numerous local restaurants donate food items weekly too.

Several Four Points churches help with the initiative including Austin Baptist Church, Hill Country Bible and Austin Stone. Other groups and churches are involved including Austin Reconciliation Church, Bethel Church, Austin New Church, and Lake Travis YMSL.

Reeves sums up the collaboration: “It is a beautiful thing!”

Food box assembly

June 9th 

Lori and Chase Piening

Nina Nickerson and Jayden Polansky

Jodi and Lukas Semelsberger

Allison and Adam Zelinski

Annie and Carter Fojtik

Lynette, Jack and Rylan Gillis

Tracy and Augustus Collins

Diana and Austin Braugh

Food distribution

June 15  

Lori and Chase Piening, Chase

Jamie and Jacob Eppele,

Tara and Mason Rumaner

Amy and Jake Miller

Sandra and Tyler Winans

Michelle and Zach Duoto

Emma and Jack Merrifield

Annie and Carter Fojtik