Community

PEC employees process 20,932 meals for the community

120 cooperative volunteers lend a hand at Central Texas Food Bank

Last week, 120 PEC employees came together to help hungry families at the Central Texas Food Bank in Austin.

PEC staff took over the food bank’s entire afternoon shift, bagging 25-pound bags of apples, creating stew kits, and preparing meals for Central Texans in need. In three hours, cooperative employees processed more than 25,000 pounds of food, creating 20,932 meals for their neighbors – that’s the power of PEC.

(Right to left) PEC member services agents Jeanette Baber and Sanjeanette McCants bag fresh apples for Central Texans in need.

“Hunger and food insecurity are a major concern in our community, especially following the recent flooding that devastated many parts of our service area,” said PEC Chief Information Officer Lawanda Parnell, who served as the executive sponsor of the volunteer event. “We’re proud to come together and contribute our time and muscle to make sure Central Texas families are fed.”

Each week, the Central Texas Food Bank serves 46,000 individuals, half of whom are children. Annually, it distributes 41 million pounds of food to 21 counties in Central Texas. Eleven of those counties are served by PEC.

PEC Regional Operations Supervisor Thomas Castillo lends a hand at PEC’s second annual volunteer day with the Central Texas Food Bank.

“Concern for our community is ingrained in the culture at PEC — it’s who we are as employees and as a cooperative,” PEC Community Relations Coordinator Caroline Tinsley Porter said. “These volunteer days bring out employees from every department and serve as an opportunity to strengthen our bond while also strengthening our communities.”

We’re PEC Proud to give back through volunteering, scholarships, and more. Learn how we give.