2020 has been a year of challenges, with one challenge right on the heels of the one before it. Since the COVID-19 pandemic has completely altered our way of life, we have all worked tirelessly to find and establish a new “normal.” In the non-profit world, annual fundraisers have been cancelled and even donations have taken a hit, as opportunities to gather with our communities have been severely restricted.
Still, throughout what has seemed like a year of nonstop challenges, here at OWBC, we continue to be impressed by the growing sense of unity through our community partnerships. Since COVID-19 started impacting Texas, local food banks in Williamson and Burnet Counties have helped us access and distribute boxes of food to our clients in need. Their generosity has allowed us to serve our clients better during months of increasing hardship.
Lauren McAndrews, our Director of Development, has been coordinating these partnerships on behalf of OWBC. With some available funding, we have been able to repay our community partners’ generosity.
Lauren commented, “As non-profits, we are in this together–helping our neighbors in need. We are a community of partners, so let’s support each other and work together.”
Marco Cruz and Linda Starnes (Reveal) 
Lauren presenting the new misters! 
Marco and Lauren share a (masked) smile with the Reveal team.
To date, we have collaborated with community partners by providing:
- Outdoor misters at Reveal Resource Center
- Shelving for diaper storage at Reveal Resource Center (late July)
- Outdoor Shed for Operation Liberty Hill
- Fridge and Freezer at Hutto Resource Center
- 1,000 boxes for Hill Country Ministries
- Personal Protective Equipment Supplies for local food pantries in Liberty Hill (Operation Liberty Hill), Cedar Park (Hill Country Ministries), Leander (Reveal), Taylor (Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry), and Hutto (Hutto Resource Center)
Reveal’s current diaper storage, in need of some shelving! 
Company at Reveal who installed the misters! 
Hutto Resource Center receiving their new fridge and freezer. 
Marco discussing new shelving in Reveal’s new diaper storage room. 
Marco Cruz and Susan Baker with the new shed. 
OWBC and Operation Liberty Hill staff celebrate the new shed.