At Atmos Energy, one of the ways we Focus on the Future is by partnering with organizations to feed students, our future leaders, in the present. With a commitment to fuel safe and thriving communities, Atmos Energy partners with nonprofit organizations like the High Plains Food Bank (HPFB) in Amarillo, Texas, to fuel bright minds and healthy futures by providing nutritious meals for kids in the communities where we live and work.

“Atmos Energy has been instrumental in placing food on the table for thousands of children through our Kids Cafe feeding program,” said Zack Wilson, HPFB executive director. “Their compassion and dedication to feeding our neighbors highlight their deep commitment to making a difference every day in the Texas panhandle.”

Founded in 1982, HPFB serves as a clearing house for the collection, storage, and distribution of donated and purchased grocery products. The food bank collaborates with churches, senior centers, childcare facilities, halfway houses, soup kitchens, emergency pantries, shelters, and other nonprofits to combat local hunger.

“If it wasn’t for High Plains Food Bank, essential resources would not be available to organizations like Snack Pak 4 Kids on a weekly basis,” said Michael Gonzales, manager of public affairs. “At HPFB, Atmos Energy employees will load a large trailer with nutritious food and then deliver the food to surrounding elementary schools. Kids will write us heartbreaking ‘thank you’ letters, saying how they now have a meal to eat.”

Since 2011, Atmos Energy has partnered with HPFB to help alleviate hunger and provide aid for 29 counties in the Texas panhandle. Together, we have helped feed families facing food insecurity with approximately 774,200 meals.

We regularly sponsor events like the Together We Can Holiday Food & Fund Drive and the Kids Cafe Classic Golf Tournament, and our financial support has bolstered vital programs such as:

• Kids Cafe, a program offering nutritious meals and snacks at no cost to over 1,100 low-income children each weekday.

• COVID response, providing critical aid during the pandemic.

• Hunger relief efforts, supporting families in times of crisis. In addition to financial resources, Atmos Energy employees have seized the opportunity to give their time. Michael mentioned that tasks in the warehouse that take the HPFB several hours to accomplish without help, only take around 45 minutes to complete with the addition of 20 to 30 Atmos Energy employees. This year, we became part of the HPFB’s recurring monthly volunteer schedule.

“Whenever we’ve reached out for help, the Atmos Energy crew has consistently shown up with enthusiasm and dedication,” Zack states. “Knowing they’re on board gives us confidence that the work will be done exceptionally well, as they tackle every challenge we’ve sent their way with precision and excellence.”

Volunteering with HPFB has included everything from diligently inspecting, sorting, and packing donated food to assembling boxes for families and seniors. Last year, Atmos Energy employees contributed more than 180 volunteer hours to HPFB.

Zack says Atmos Energy’s volunteer efforts and generosity are shining examples of what it means to give back to the community and Make a Difference, and that our impact cannot be overstated.

To learn more about the High Plains Food Bank, please visit www.hpfb.org.