United Way of Hays & Caldwell Counties

04/04/2026

Earlier today, United Way of Hays & Caldwell Counties hosted Boko’s Easter Egg Hunt in partnership with Texas State Athletics, and what an incredible afternoon it was.

We were proud to team up with the Hays County Food Bank to host a spring canned food drive to support our neighbors in need. Thanks to the generosity of this community, we’re already seeing early estimates of more than 300 pounds of canned goods donated.

A big thank you to our title sponsor InjuredTexan.com for helping make this event possible, and to the more than 400 kids and families who came out to celebrate with us.

We’re also grateful to community leaders including Dr. Michelle Cohen, Morgan Hammer, Walt Smith, Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe, Jane Garnette Hughson, Alyssa C. Garza, Lorenzo Gonzalez, Josh Paselk, Shane Scott, along with Landon Campbell, Adam French, Jude and Kathy Prather, and our partners at Mano Amiga for sponsoring Easter basket giveaways and helping make the day special for so many kids.

A huge thank you to our volunteers who showed up early, stayed late, and kept everything running smoothly. Events like this don’t happen without you.

Special thanks to Tori Thompson Jaworski and her team for being outstanding partners and helping bring this event to life.

This is what community looks like. Grateful for everyone who showed up, gave back, and made today so special.

03/25/2026

Hays & Caldwell Counties friends, bring the kids and come hang out with us!

We’re teaming up with Texas State Athletics for Boko’s Easter Egg Hunt, and it’s shaping up to be a great afternoon for families.

We’ll have multiple egg hunts, a petting zoo, and plenty for kids to do.

Special thanks to InjuredTexan.com for sponsoring the 4,000 candy-filled eggs and the petting zoo.

We’re also collecting canned goods for the Hays County Food Bank. First 100 folks who bring items will get a free ticket to that night’s Texas State baseball game.

It’s free, it’s easy, and it’s for our community.

Hope to see you out there!

Register HERE: txst.com/bokoseasteregghunt

12/22/2025

Today, United Way of Hays and Caldwell Counties, alongside the San Marcos Area Community Foundation, was proud to deliver checks totaling $20,826 to the Hays County Food Bank.

These funds represent the generosity of our community coming together to support neighbors facing food insecurity across Hays County. Every dollar donated helps ensure families have access to nutritious food when they need it most.

Thank you to everyone who gave, shared, and supported this effort. Your generosity is making a real and immediate difference for our neighbors.

11/27/2025

Last Thursday, more than 300 neighbors joined us for the first Gather and Give Thanks community dinner. As we look back today, on Thanksgiving, our hearts are full.

The evening was everything we hoped for. Neighbors sharing tables. Laughter filling Cuauhtemoc Hall. Volunteers serving with joy. Families taking a moment to breathe, connect, and feel supported. It was a reminder of the kind of community San Marcos truly is.

This dinner began as a simple idea earlier this year, and thanks to a true partnership between United Way of Hays and Caldwell Counties and the Hays County Food Bank, it became a reality. When the need became clear, both organizations jumped in together, combining volunteers, resources, and community support to make the evening possible.

We are deeply grateful to the volunteers, partner organizations, faith communities, and local businesses who helped make the night special. From serving meals to decorating tables to donating food and drinks, each act of kindness added something meaningful.

Support from our community partners made an enormous impact. Bill Miller Bar-B-Q prepared the Thanksgiving feast. Dutch Bros Coffee kept everyone warm with cocoa and coffee. Wesley Chapel AME Church added festive touches and hospitality. Spectrum provided support and presented a generous check to the Food Bank. And we are especially thankful for the sponsorship and generosity of Corridor Title, Texas Disposal Systems, La Cima, and Emerge Student Housing, whose support helped bring this event to life.

To our United Way Board members and the Food Bank’s dedicated team who showed up and served alongside volunteers, thank you for leading with care and compassion.

Most of all, we are grateful for every neighbor who walked through those doors. Sharing a meal together affirmed why we do this work and why partnership matters.

As we look ahead, planning is already underway for next year’s dinner. Please save the date for Thursday, November 19th from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.

From all of us at United Way of Hays and Caldwell Counties, thank you for helping build a community where everyone feels seen, supported, and valued.

We wish you and your loved ones a warm and meaningful Thanksgiving.

11/17/2025

We’re honored to partner with St. David’s Foundation as we enter the second week of expanded Food Bank operations in response to the SNAP pause. Hundreds of local families have already received additional support and the need is growing.

Through the For Our Neighbors Fund, 100% of donations go directly to serve families across our community.

If you’re able, please give today: https://www.unitedwayhaysco.org/our-neighbors-fund

Since mid-October, food insecurity in Central Texas has increased by more than 50%. Join St. David's Foundation in supporting local organizations working to meet the growing demand for vital food access services in our region:

• Central Texas Food Bank
• Central Texas Community Foundation
• Bastrop County Cares
• United Way of Hays & Caldwell Counties
• Caldwell County Foundation
• Greater Taylor Foundation

How you can help:
If you're able, your support—through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word—can make a meaningful difference for our Central Texas communities.

11/15/2025

We’re proud to sponsor Southside Community Center San Marcos’ first Hamburger Cook-Off!

Great food, great people, and great support for a local institution making a real difference. Here’s to many more events like this.

11/07/2025

Thank you, Erin Zwiener, Texas State Representative, for your generous $2,500 contribution to the For Our Neighbors Fund.

Today, the Hays County Food Bank held its first day of extended operations to serve families impacted by the pause of federal SNAP benefits—an additional 100 households were served today.

United Way of Hays and Caldwell Counties is proud to support our area food bank as they step up to serve even more of our neighbors in need. Together, we’re making sure no family goes without.

If you’re able to support this effort, 100% of donations go directly to the Hays County Food Bank to help serve local families.

Donate here: https://www.unitedwayhaysco.org/our-neighbors-fund

11/07/2025

Today the Hays County Food Bank kicked off extended hours to help families impacted by the pause in SNAP benefits.

With an extra day of service this week, 100 more families will get the food they need. In San Marcos CISD, 1 in 3 students, or 2,734 kids from about 750 families, rely on SNAP.

A typical monthly visit to the Choice Market includes 80 pounds of food—about 56 items valued at $115.50 at H-E-B.

United Way created the For Our Neighbors Fund, and 100% of donations go directly to the Food Bank to support these expanded operations through the end of the year.

Great to see Erin Zwiener, Texas State Representative, Dr Michelle Cohen Hays County Commissioner Pct 2, and Councilmembers Alyssa C. Garza and Lorenzo Gonzalez showing up for our community.

Every dollar helps support one of our neighbors in need.

Donate here: https://www.unitedwayhaysco.org/our-neighbors-fund

11/03/2025

Today we announced the For Our Neighbors Fund, a united community effort to support families across the greater San Marcos area impacted by the lapse in SNAP and TANF benefits.

Led by United Way of Hays & Caldwell Counties, Hays County Food Bank, and the San Marcos TX Community Foundation, and joined by area and regional business leaders, this effort will help hundreds of families and thousands of students and residents who rely on these programs to make ends meet.

100% of donations go directly to the Hays County Food Bank to provide immediate food relief.

Together, we can take care of our neighbors.

Donate here: https://www.unitedwayhaysco.org/our-neighbors-fund

10/15/2025

Need help protecting your home and your family’s future?

The City of San Marcos invites you to a free Homeowner Title Workshop & Clinic to learn how to prevent property conflicts, safeguard your ownership, and make things easier for your heirs down the road. Sessions will be offered in English and Spanish, and no registration is required.

📅 Workshop Dates & Locations
• Oct. 27 | 10 a.m. – San Marcos Public Library (625 E. Hopkins St.)
• Oct. 27 | 6:30 p.m. – Centro Cultural Hispano (211 Lee St.)
• Nov. 8 | 1 p.m. – Centro Cultural Hispano (211 Lee St.)

For more details, visit www.sanmarcostx.gov/housing.

10/13/2025

Need help making home repairs?

The City of San Marcos is now accepting applications for its Home Rehabilitation and Repair Program, offering grants of up to $75,000 for homeowners needing critical repairs.

You may qualify if you live within San Marcos city limits, own your home, and meet income guidelines (80% or less of the area median income).

Repairs can include:
• Roofs
• Electrical, plumbing, or HVAC
• Accessibility upgrades like ramps
• Foundation or structural work

Applications are open October 8 – November 17, 2025.
Apply online at sanmarcostx.gov/housing or in person at 630 E. Hopkins St., Building 4.

For help, email [email protected] or call 512-805-2644.

If you or someone you know could use this support, reach out today. Let’s help more families stay safe and comfortable in their homes.