Support Aggieland

How To Help Aggies And The Local Community During The Pandemic

Various fundraisers have been initiated by and for Texas A&M students and community members.
By Lesley Henton, Texas A&M University Division of Marketing & Communications April 29, 2020
image of non perishable food donations in buckets
There are several opportunities for Aggies to help the Bryan-College Station community during the pandemic.

 

A number of fundraisers and donation initiatives have kicked off in Aggieland and throughout the Bryan-College Station area.

This list will be updated periodically:

Updated Aug. 11:

“United We Fan” unites Texas A&M and the University of Texas to benefit food banks in the universities’ respective cities, in partnership with Wells Fargo and Feeding America. Purchases of fan gear on Fanatics.com will help to feed the hungry in College Station and Austin. Read more on Texas A&M Today.

The 12th Can Food Pantry announced today that pantry operations will transition indoors beginning tomorrow (Aug. 12). Clients are required to wear face coverings upon entering the Mail Services Building. The number of people inside the building will be limited, so clients should wait their turn on the floor-marked spots leading into the building to allow for social distancing. At this time, the pantry will continue to provide pre-packaged bags to distribute food to ensure health and safety. More details about the check-in process will be posted on the steps leading into the building.

Upcoming pantry openings:
Aug. 12
Aug. 26-27
Sept. 9-10

For more information, including requirements to use the pantry, how to donate, location and bus routes, visit 12thcan.tamu.edu or email 12thcan.director@gmail.com.

For questions or more information, email 12th Can at 12thcan.director@gmail.com.

Updated July 24:

Aggie Women’s Veterans and the La Villita Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution are collecting diapers and wipes for veterans’ families. If you are an Aggie veteran or an Aggie currently serving in the military and in need of baby supplies, you can ask to be included by emailing lavillitansdar@gmail.com.

Updated July 7:

The 12th Can food pantry will be open on Weds. July 8 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The location of the 12th Can food distribution has changed. The drive-thru pantry will be in Lot 63 near the Pearce Animal Pavilion. Clients using the drive-thru pantry should enter on Penberthy Blvd (not George Bush Drive).

The address of Lot 63 is 555 George Bush Drive W.

Bus routes:
Blue Star (35/40)
Take bus route 35 (Hullaballoo) and get off at the Park West stop
Take bus route 40 (Century Tree) and request a stop near Park West

Purple Star (8)
Take bus route 08 (Howdy) and get off at the Park West stop.

Be advised that the pantry will close down in the case of lightening and staff is closely monitoring the weather for Wednesday. Check the 12th Can website for updates.


KBTX Food For Families Fund Drive

Updated May 28:

KBTX is partnering with the Brazos Valley Food Bank and Douglass Automotive Group on May 28 for a Food for Families Fund Drive to raise $75,000 for the food bank to continue to help those dealing with food insecurity in the local area.

On Thursday, May 28,  from 4:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., you can make your donation online or text, “KBTX” to 313131.

All this month, the Brazos Valley Food Bank has been running massive “super distributions” of food in communities across the Brazos Valley.


The 12th Can food pantry has announced dates it will be open during the summer:

  • June 10
  • July 8
  • Aug. 12

This on-campus, student-run food pantry serves all Texas A&M students, faculty and staff who are in need of assistance. The pantry has implemented a drive-through model with pre-packaged bags. Bringing a car is encouraged, but there is a walk-up option.

  • Food drop off/pick up in Lot 76 (330 Agronomy Road)
  • Take Bus Route 6 (12th Man), get off at the Vet School stop.

Days and times of operation are subject to change based on food availability; check the schedule.

Visit The 12th Can website, on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Updated May 6:

BCS Meals and Deals
This group on Facebook is serving as a central location for local restaurants to advertise their specials as they are dealing with losses due to the pandemic. You must be approved to join in order to view the posts.

Tomorrow, the REACH Project will be handing out 720 meals to food service, custodial, maintenance workers and groundskeepers who work at Texas A&M.

When: Thursday, May 7 from 2-4 p.m.

Where: Kyle Field Lot 62

The group is also launching its online coupon system through which coupons are being sent to qualifying families for free family meals.

Updated April 16:

Through Thursday, April 30, members of the local community can donate food items to the 12th Can at a drop-off location located outside the Jon L. Hagler Center, the Texas A&M Foundation’s headquarters, at 401 George Bush Drive in College Station, Texas. A number of marked donation boxes will be placed under the Foundation’s front awning in its circle driveway from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, allowing donors to drop off food items while still maintaining social distancing.

The mo needed items for the food drive include pasta, beans (dried or canned), and canned protein.

Individuals unable to drop off food items may also choose to donate online to the 12th Can’s operating fund through the Texas A&M Foundation. Gifts to this fund will support food purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the purchase of bags to provide food in prepackaged units, which are provided free to clients.

Aggies Help

Texas A&M students Lana Picon ’21, Justyn Tedder ’21 and Julia Bybee ’20 started Aggies Help in hopes of lending a hand to the community members, businesses and organizations being financially impacted.

Visit Aggies Help on Instagram @aggies.help and Facebook.

Brazos Valley COVID-19 Community Relief Fund

This fund is being managed by United Way of the Brazos Valley, the Community Foundation of the Brazos Valley, the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce, the City of Bryan and the City of College Station, in partnership with local businesses and philanthropic donors. Funds will be distributed throughout the Brazos Valley for nonprofit organization support and small business relief.

  • Donate on the COVID-19 Community Relief Fund website.
  • Text BVCOVID19 to 41444
  • Mailed check donations:
    United Wday of the Brazos Valley; “Community Relief Fund” in the memo note
    1716 Briarcrest Dr., Ste. 155
    Bryan, TX 77802

Brazos Valley Food Pantry
This pantry serves six counties in the Brazos Valley.

Feed Maroon
Two Valencia Hotel Group properties in Bryan-College Station, The George and Cavalry Court, have partnered with Dorm Dish to help Aggie students in need of a meal.

  • Donate on GoFundMe through April 28
  • If you’re an Aggie student in need of a meal, email feedmaroon@gmail.com to apply to be put on the list.

Visit Feed Maroon on Facebook.

Personal Protective Equipment Drive

Texas A&M faculty and staff who have access to personal protective equipment (PPE) are being asked to donate whatever they can to help medical personnel and first-responders dealing with patients suffering from COVID-19.

  • Complete the survey Officials with Texas A&M Environmental Health and Safety will contact you to collecting the items. Only manufactured items – no handmade — will be accepted.

Items that are being accepted include the following:

  • Face shields
  • Nitrile gloves –  any size
  • Exam gloves – any size
  • Impermeable coverall without hood – any size
  • Eye goggles or equivalent
  • Shoe covers/booties (disposable) – any size
  • N95 masks or equivalent
  • Surgical/isolation gowns – any size
  • Surgical masks – standard procedure
  • Hand sanitizer – pump
  • Disinfecting wipes

REACH

This local nonprofit is providing family meals for food service, custodial, maintenance workers and groundskeepers who work at Texas A&M.

Visit REACH on Facebook.

 

Here’s how you can help Support Aggieland: Show your appreciation to those who keep our community strong, uplifted and moving forward. Spread the word. Tell your friends and neighbors about the initiative. Visit @TAMUbrand on Instagram and Twitter for updates and more. Check back with this site to discover more ways our community is helping the cause. 

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