Amarillo community news for Sept. 3, 2023: Voting, resources, hunger action and more
Amarillo League of Women Voters celebrates National Voter Registration Day on Sept. 19
The Amarillo League of Women Voters will be celebrating National Voter Registration Day, on Tuesday, Sept. 19.
The League will be registering voters at all of Amarillo’s Public Library locations:
Downtown Location, 413 SE 4th, Amarillo, TX 79101, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Northwest Branch, 6100 SW 9th, Amarillo, TX 79106, 3-7 p.m.
Southwest Branch, 6801 W 45th, Amarillo, TX 79109, 2:30-5 p.m.
East Branch, 2232 E 27th, Amarillo, TX 79103, 4-7 p.m.
North Branch, 1500 NE 24th, Amarillo, TX 79107, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
To register to vote, you will need be at least 18 years old, be a citizen, and not convicted of a felony or have completed all your sentence. Our Volunteer Deputy Registrars can only register people in Potter and Randall counties. Last year the Amarillo League of Women Voters registered more than 600 voters, and with your help, they hope to register even more. If your organization, business, nonprofit, or church is interested in having the Amarillo League of Women Voters register your employees or members, please contact Michelle or Jenny at amarillolwv@gmail.com or 806-337-2148.
Sharing the Hope Resource Fair announced for Sept. 14
Sharing Hope Ministry and the City of Amarillo Community Development are hosting Sharing the Hope Resource Fair, a free event featuring resources from almost 50 agencies in one location. The event is scheduled to take place in the Regency Room of the Amarillo Civic Center, on Thursday, Sept. 14 from 3 to 7 p.m.
They will have information on such vital services as Medicaid and CHIP, housing, utility assistance, jobs, food assistance, childcare assistance, car seats, pregnancy, parenting, vaccines, addiction recovery, mental health/counseling, mammograms, financial skills, tax assistance and more.
The first 100 families attending will receive a goody bag full of great items, including gifts cards. There will be door prizes and they will serve a free dinner from 5 until 6:30 p.m., or while supplies last.
Participating agencies include: 211/United Way of Amarillo and Canyon, AISD Families in Transition, Amarillo Angels, Amarillo Habitat for Humanity, Amarillo WIC Nutrition Program, BSA Hospice of the Southwest, Cenikor Foundation, Center for Advancement, Child Care Regulation, Coalition of Health Services-Texas Home Visiting program, Coming Home, Dove Creek Equine Rescue, Downtown Women’s Center, Education Credit Union, Faith City Mission, Family Support Services, FirstCare Health Plans-part of Baylor Scott and White Health, Goodwill Career Center, Haven Health Clinics, Heal the City Free Clinic, High Plains Food BNK, Hope Choice Pregnancy Centers & Mentoring Programs, Joseph’s Project, Life Challenge of Amarillo, Martha’s Home, Maximus- Texas STAR Program, Northwest Texas Behavioral Health, Panhandle Breast Health, Panhandle Community Services, Patsy’s Place Transitional Home, PILC, Public Health, Region 16 Head Start, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension; Texas Department of State Health Services; Texas Panhandle Centers- Early Childhood Intervention; The Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center; The Salvation Army; TTUHSC Get F.I.T.; Uniting Parents/Coalition Of Health Services, Inc.; Workforce Solutions Panhandle.
For more information, contact Kim Lester at 806-358-7803 or email cfa@sharinghopeministry.org.
High Plains Food Bank joins Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month Campaign
For Hunger Action Month this September, High Plains Food Bank will join Feeding America and other member food banks to inspire conversation and drive passion for the issue of hunger. The month-long campaign will highlight the impact of food on people's lives and show how a meal goes beyond solely nourishing our bodies. When people are fed, futures are nurtured, and individuals go from just living to truly thriving.
September marks the 16th year Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization with a nationwide network of 200 food banks, including High Plains Food Bank and 60,000 partner food pantries and meal programs, has organized the annual call to action. By joining the movement, High Plains Food Bank believes our collective voices, actions, and commitment will help ensure every community has the food it needs to flourish.
“Food has a tremendous impact on people’s lives. We have all experienced firsthand how a meal goes beyond solely nourishing our bodies,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America in a news release. “Access to nutritious food is essential for each of us to reach our full potential and reminds us that we can all help to create positive change in our communities to ensure that no one goes hungry in America. Now is the time for us to come together to elevate the voices of people who experience food insecurity and inspire everyone to join the movement to end hunger.”
During September, people across the Texas Panhandle can get involved by listening, acting, and inviting others to speak up about ways to end hunger:
Go orange! Orange is the color of hunger relief. During Hunger Action Month, raise awareness and show your commitment to the fight against hunger by wearing orange and turning your city landmarks and businesses orange. You can purchase an HPFB Hunger Fighting Shirt here: www.bonfire.com/hpfb-ham-2023/
Speak up for neighbors facing food insecurity by sharing why you choose to fight hunger. Tag High Plains Food Bank in your social media posts and use HungerActionMonth, #EndHunger, and #WeFeedTXPH.
Learn more about High Plains Food Bank at hpfb.org. Or, explore the Map the Meal Gap interactive tool at map.FeedingAmerica.org to learn about hunger in your community. Give food, funds, or time to support High Plains Food Bank or one of our partner agencies.
"The number of households served is now at its highest level since 2020," said Zack Wilson, executive director of High Plains Food Bank in the release. "Hunger Action Month is a time where everyone can engage and help neighbors who struggle to make ends meet due to higher prices or the devastating natural disasters that struck the High Plains this summer."
Hunger Action Month is a time for everyone nationwide to unite against hunger. You can help end hunger by donating, advocating, volunteering, or raising awareness. Learn more ways you can take action by visiting www.hungeractionmonth.org or www.hpfb.org.
Board of Directors of the Maverick Boys & Girls Club of Amarillo announces national recognition of its leader
Donna Soria, CEO and Executive Director of the Maverick Boys & Girls Club of Amarillo, has been awarded as CEO of the Year in the Southwest Region by the National Office of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The ceremony took place Aug. 25 in Dallas at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
The Maverick Boys & Girls Club of Amarillo established its respected foundation within the Amarillo community almost nine decades ago. Soria emerged as a trailblazer in enhancing the trajectory of the program when assuming the role of CEO and Executive Director five years ago. She is being recognized nationally for her work behind the scenes to open the Boys & Girls Club of Uvalde one year later after the traumatic mass school shooting.
Soria played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Boys & Girls Club of Uvalde by collaborating with a dedicated team and offering guidance and expertise. Precisely one year after the school shooting, the Boys & Girls Club family united to extend support to the resilient youth of Uvalde, inaugurating a safe and nurturing place for the community.
Back home, under Soria's strategic leadership, the Maverick Boys & Girls Club of Amarillo has elevated its after school program while concurrently launching the innovative Tyson program. This program initiative is designed to cater to the specific needs of the night shift at Tyson Foods, offering a vital solution for the care of their children during non-traditional hours. This specialized program involves the transportation of youth to the Dykeman site, where they receive dedicated care and supervision until as late as 1 a.m.
Soria said that she is grateful for this honor to lead an organization in the community that has years of history in a community that she loves. She says that her drive stems from one simple idea, all kids need a safe and fun place to just be a kid and feel cared for.
City of Amarillo sets Labor Day service schedule, closes offices for holiday
In recognition of Labor Day, the City of Amarillo (COA) will implement the following holiday service schedule:
City Hall will be closed Monday, Sept. 4.
Amarillo City Transit will be closed Monday.
The Labor Day week schedule for Solid Waste (trash pickup) is as follows:
Residential customers: Monday routes will be collected on Tuesday. Tuesday routes will be collected on Wednesday. All other routes will be collected on their normal schedule.
Commercial customers: Monday and Tuesday routes will be collected on Tuesday. All other routes will be collected on their normal schedule.
Curbside collection: No curbside collection will be available Monday.
Brush sites and the city landfill will be closed Monday.
The Amarillo Public Library System will be closed Monday.
All city golf courses will have normal hours of operation Monday.
Amarillo Municipal Court will be closed Monday.
The Warford Activity Center will have normal hours of operation (8 a.m. to 9 p.m.) on Monday.
For more information, contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager David Henry at (806) 378-5219 or by email at David.Henry@amarillo.gov.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo area Our Town briefs for Sept. 3, 2023
