03 December . 2024
Sweetwater resident Krzysztof Stough rallies neighbors to provide 3,708 meals for Central Texas Food Bank
More than 3,700 meals will be provided to Central Texans in need this season, thanks to a community food drive led by Sweetwater resident Krzysztof Stough, a Youth Ambassador for the Central Texas Food Bank.
A sophomore at Lake Travis High School, Krzysztof has been volunteering with the Central Texas Food Bank for nearly four years.
In October, he met with Sweetwater’s Lifestyle Director, Courtney Neal, who invited him to use the Sweetwater Club as a collection point for a food drive he wanted to launch in time for the holiday season.
Courtney also helped promote the food drive by including it in the HOA’s communications to residents. The result was an overwhelming outpouring from neighbors, with enough canned goods and monetary donations collected to provide 3,708 meals for individuals and families in need.
"I can’t thank everyone enough for their generosity. This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of all our Sweetwater neighbors. Together, we’ve done something incredible, and I’m proud to have been a part of it," said Krzysztof, whose family has lived in Sweetwater since 2017, after relocating from the Washington, D.C. area.
With nearly 437,000 people in Central Texas facing hunger, Krzysztof set a goal to make a tangible difference by collecting donations to help those in need.
"I knew this would be my chance to make a difference and help those who are struggling," he shared. "Being an ambassador isn’t just about raising awareness; it’s about doing something that can change lives."
Krzysztof said the generosity of community members can make all the difference in providing families with food insecurity with the nourishment and support they need to get through difficult times.
“The response from the community was amazing," Krzysztof said. "It’s inspiring to see so many people come together for a good cause. It shows me how powerful our community is when we work together to help those who need it most."
This experience has been incredibly meaningful for Krzysztof, reinforcing the values of compassion, community, and the power of collective action, and helping to shape him into a more empathetic, community-focused individual.
“This food drive has shown me how much we can do when we come together. It’s taught me the importance of helping others and how much we all depend on each other to make our community stronger,” he said.
Meet more Sweetwater neighbors in our Resident Stories.