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Central Texas Food Bank, Austin Pets Alive! team up for Thanksgiving food drive

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Central Texas Food Bank, Austin Pets Alive! team up for Thanksgiving food drive


AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB) and Austin Pets Alive! are teaming up once again for a drive-up food distribution ahead of Thanksgiving.

On Monday, crews will operate out of a mobile pantry site located at the Delco Activity Center in Austin to distribute turkeys, fresh produce and other essential grocery items.

“Hunger doesn’t take a holiday and neither do we,” Sari Vatske, President and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank, said in a release. “Every turkey distributed represents the belief that no table should remain empty during the holidays.” 

The CTFB expects to serve around 750 households. Drivers can pull in, load up and head out — no questions asked.

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Vatske said before the government shutdown in October, food insecurity was already on the rise in Central Texas. She said the numbers have hit a 10-year high, including during the pandemic.

“People were dipping into their savings. They were maxing out credit cards,” Vatske explained. “We are now serving over 610,000 food insecure individuals throughout 21 counties, and we’ve seen those numbers double over the past month or so as people recover from the shutdown and prepare for the holiday season.”

As of early Monday morning, drivers were already lining up outside of the Delco Center hours ahead of the distribution.

“It’s a help. A blessing for everyone for food to be given and not have to be bought. Prices are so high and some families can’t afford the things that they need,” Patricia Barnett, one of the first people to arrive at the distribution, said.

Austin Pets Alive! also plans to give out pet food to those in need.

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The distribution is Monday, from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Delco Activity Center located at 4601 Pecan Brook Drive.



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Austin, TX

Austin opens cold weather shelters ahead of freezing temps

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Austin opens cold weather shelters ahead of freezing temps


As the Austin area prepares to plunge into freezing temperatures Sunday night, the city is initiating its Cold Weather Shelters protocol.

Those wanting to use the emergency shelters, which open when overnight temperatures reach 35 degrees or lower, must register between 6-8 p.m. at One Texas Center (OTC) on Barton Springs Road, according to a release from the city. Those interested and in need of transport can reach the OTC via bus lines 1, 7, 10, 20, 30, 105 and 801. Anyone who can’t pay bus fare but needs shelter will still be allowed to ride, a Facebook post from the city said.

Following registration, CapMetro shuttles will take guests from the OTC to a cold weather shelter. The addresses for these shelters are kept confidential due to “safety, privacy and capacity concerns,” according to the Austin American-Statesman.

The Statesman also reported that shelters provide meals and allow leashed, friendly pets.

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All parks and libraries are meanwhile serving as warming centers during regular operating hours, except for Austin Public Library’s Old Quarry Branch and Willie Mae Kirk Branch.



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Austin, TX

Building cleared after non-credible bomb threat made in Downtown Austin

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Building cleared after non-credible bomb threat made in Downtown Austin


A Downtown Austin building was cleared after a bomb threat was made Saturday night.

Police say that the call came in at 9:38 p.m., after which officers arrived to the scene and cleared a nearby building at 311 E 6th St.

ALSO: H-E-B delights Austin airport travelers with surprise gift vending machine pop-up

The threat was found to not be credible, and no one was injured.

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Police say no one is in custody and they will be clearing the scene shortly.



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The richest small town in Texas tops our most popular Austin stories

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The richest small town in Texas tops our most popular Austin stories


Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Austin Mayor Kirk Watson held a press conference Friday to discuss a new deal with Southwest Airlines and its expected impact on the city.

The deal, approved Thursday by the Austin City Council, awards Southwest $2,750 for each new Austin-based hire over the next five years. In exchange, the airline plans to add 2,000 high-paying jobs with an average salary of $180,000 and invest in local workforce initiatives, including the city’s new Austin Infrastructure Academy.

Officials say the deal will strengthen Southwest’s presence at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, where the carrier already handles more than 40 percent of all passenger traffic.

The partnership is expected to bring in nearly $20 million in local tax revenue, and the incentive program will last for five years and pay Southwest up to $5.5 million.

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Mayor Watson said the agreement will not only create new jobs in Austin but will improve the overall experience at AUS.

“We’re building lives and careers at the same time we’re building tarmacs and terminals,” Watson said. “Southwest is choosing Austin because our people, our workforce, and our future make us a smart investment. This deal creates thousands of good-paying jobs, improves the passenger experience, and ensures the benefits flow directly to Austin workers, families, and tourists. This agreement is proof that Austin means business and cares about the success of its people.”

Read the full story at KVUE.com.



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