Austin Food Justice

About the Week

In Texas, 3,720,710 people are facing hunger - and of them 1,395,890 are children. Many churches work diligently providing food to neighbors in their communities, and yet Feeding America projects that 38 million people (including 12 million children) will experience food insecurity in 2022. How can we work to end food insecurity in our country? Groups participating in Austin Food Justice weeks serve in a mixture of direct service and support organizations including urban gardens, food pantries, and food service. Your group will engage in experiential learning activities, work with faith based organizations that advocate on behalf of people struggling with hunger, speak daily with guest leaders working in food justice related vocations, and participate in a mock legislative hearing on food justice related issues at the Texas Capitol. Your group will have time together each evening for a justice-based Bible study and discussion focused on learning about root causes, systemic issues, policy and advocacy, so that you may go back to your community with a vision to work toward food justice beyond the mission trip week. Food Justice weeks are especially well-suited for middle schoolers and are also great for a group's first justice-focused mission trip. Overnight Cost is $375 per participant for 5 nights and includes: • Breakfast and Lunch, Monday morning through Friday morning. (Dinners are on your own.) • Lodging in a local church or college dorm • A dedicated Site-Coordinator & trained young adult staff to facilitate your week • Fully planned service and educational experiences • Honorariums for speakers, costs for activities, entrance fees • A t-shirt for each participant • Printed discussion guides for small groups • Online consultation with Be the Neighbor planning staff in the spring • Online training for your adult leaders in late May or early June Note that your group is responsible for transportation during the week.