Foundation Communities-Sierra Ridge - Food Pantry

Who Can Visit?

The food pantry at Foundation Communities' Sierra Ridge is open to residents and neighbors in the community. All of their health and nutrition classes are free and open to the public, and in most cases childcare is provided.

Food & Essentials

The pantry focuses on fresh, healthy food. You can expect to find fresh produce and other nutritious items. Foundation Communities is committed to helping families eat healthier, and they make it easy by bringing food right to where people live.

How to Pick Up

The pantry is located on-site at the Sierra Ridge community. Volunteers help set up the pantry and serve clients as they come in to access fresh, healthy food.

Additional Support

Foundation Communities offers a wide range of free programs for residents and neighbors beyond the food pantry:

• Free tax help through Prosper Tax Help, available to individuals earning less than $60,000/year and households of 2-4 earning less than $85,000/year. You can reach the tax team by calling 737-717-4000 or emailing outreach@foundcom.org.
• Health insurance enrollment help for working families and individuals through the Prosper Health Coverage program.
• Fitness and wellness classes including Zumba, yoga, strength training, walking groups, running clubs, and Tai Chi.
• Nutrition classes and healthy cooking classes to help families prepare nutritious meals.
• Health screenings for blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, vision, hearing, and more.
• After-school and summer learning programs for children.
• Financial coaching to help with budgets, debt reduction, and credit building.

You can email health@foundcom.org to learn more about the healthy living programs and view the monthly calendar of activities.

Ways to Give

You can support Foundation Communities in several ways:

• Donate online to help provide affordable homes and free support services for families, veterans, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.
• Mail a check to: Foundation Communities, Attn: Day Fariss, 3000 S IH 35, Ste. 300, Austin, TX 78704.
• Shop for household essentials through the Welcome Home Basics program, which provides new residents with laundry baskets filled with items like sheets, dish sets, and cleaning supplies to help turn an apartment into a home.
• Donate supplies by shopping their Amazon Wishlist or dropping off new or excellent condition items at 3000 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Ste #300, Austin, TX 78704, Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.

For donation inquiries, contact Day Fariss at day.fariss@foundcom.org or 512-610-4009. The organization's Tax ID number is 74-2563260.

How to Join the Team?

Foundation Communities relies on more than 3,200 volunteers each year. There are opportunities for everyone:

• Healthy Food Pantry volunteers help set up pantries and serve clients accessing fresh, healthy food. All new volunteers must complete an orientation, clear a background check, and take the USDA civil rights training.
• Tax Help volunteers provide free tax preparation for families. Trainings are held in December and January. No accounting background is needed.
• After-school program volunteers provide classroom support and homework help for kids.
• Financial coaching volunteers meet one-on-one with community members working on budgeting and financial goals.
• Health coverage volunteers help people enroll in affordable health insurance plans.
• Supper Club groups bring a nutritious meal to share with single adult residents at FC's efficiency apartment communities.

To get started or ask questions, contact Jackie Blair Cuellar, Director of Volunteer Programs, at Jackie.Cuellar@foundcom.org or 512-610-7377.

For Welcome Home Basics volunteering, contact Aly Bernard at aly.bernard@foundcom.org or 512-610-7967.