Clergy from nine churches in the University of Texas area explore joint ministry to homeless neighbors.
Following the example of an international group of faith-based relief and development organizations—the Micah 6 Network—they invited each congregation to join them in crafting programs to meet immediate needs.
The Micah 6 Council assumed operation of the food pantry at University Baptist Church.
Micah 6 of Austin incorporates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and hires its first employee to manage the food pantry at University Baptist Church.
The organization becomes a partner agency of the Capital Area Food Bank.
The food pantry moves into a larger space in the basement of University Presbyterian Church in 2009.
Micah 6 of Austin is named Agency of the Year by Capital Area Food Bank.
The food pantry grows, requiring more than 60 volunteers to open to shoppers two times a week. They serve an average of 450 clients and distribute 8-10,000 pounds of food weekly.
The Micah 6 board begins a discernment process for how to respond to a growing number of unhoused youth in the west campus neighborhood.
A new program for outreach to street youth begins. The Street Youth Drop-in Center opens at University Baptist Church.
The center also offers shelter for neighborhood youth on city-wide freeze nights.
Micah 6 organizes a Women’s Resource Group to help meet the unique needs of street-dependent women. They meet weekly at University United Methodist Church for a shared meal and to connect with volunteer social workers.
Barry Smith becomes the first executive director. The food pantry is dedicated to the memory of Dan Robertson, long-time volunteer and president of Micah 6.
All Saints Episcopal Church, the Johnson Center, and Micah 6 partner to begin the Home Cooked Fridays program. Volunteers prepare and serve a restaurant-style meal in two seatings Friday evenings.
The city of Austin declares Micah 6 an essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The food pantry retools to meet safety standards and remains open, shifting to outdoor food distribution on San Antonio Street.
The Women’s Resource Group meets for a time outdoors, observing social distancing rules. Many women are able to find permanent housing and the program ends. Home Cooked Fridays and the Street Youth Outreach programs are suspended.
Post-pandemic, Micah 6 reopens the drop-in center and begins a discernment process, continuing its mission to address food insecurity in Austin and Travis County.
