Center of the Plate curbs hunger in Dripping Springs

Grace and Faith Baxter are a unique sister duo from Dripping Springs. Both are involved in Texas FFA throughout high school and accepted into the Texas FFA Foundation Ambassadors program. They decided to team up on a project titled, “Center of the Plate.”

The Baxter sisters started this project in 2015 after seeing another young woman, Kylie Ballard working on a project in order to raise money for deep water wells in Africa.

“We wanted to find a way to make a deep, continual impact in our community while utilizing our knowledge of agriculture and the importance of meat protein,” Grace Baxter said.

This project received a lot of support from the community. 4-H and FFA members donate from their livestock projects, Wilson AC & Appliances helped provide them with freezers for meat storage, and the Dripping Springs Presbyterian Church provided a space for the freezers. On top of this community support, the girls started a raffle fundraiser to pay for livestock processing costs, received a 501(c)(3) status (tax-exemption), and made appointments at a USDA/ state inspected facility to safely process their livestock.

Both young women who are outstanding students with a passion for community service, are taking the next step toward their respective careers. Grace is finishing up at Texas Tech University and Faith is a sophomore at Oklahoma State University. But moving away for college hasn’t stopped the sisters from continuing their devotion to giving back - they are still involved with Center of the Plate, but their parents and church mission group helps with the day to day operations.

“Our community has truly supported and encouraged this project from donations of monetary value, time, or meat product, as well as ideas for further success.” Grace Baxter said, “So far, we have helped 350 families by providing over 55,000 meals from 10,350 pounds of beef and pork.”

Center of the Plate offers a drive-through every Thursday night at the Dripping Springs Presbyterian Church where volunteers give pre-packaged meat to families, as well as other food products that will provide meals for a week.

To volunteer, email Amy Myhand at [email protected].