May 19, 2020
What unites Texans is the love of our state and the kindness we share for our neighbors, and during times of crisis these qualities remain steadfast. It's uplifting to see how our communities have come together to help one another during the coronavirus pandemic. This includes Texas businesses who have been able to respond to the situation by coming to the aid of Texans across the state. Several of our Texas Mutual policyholders have continued to work through the outbreak to fill critical needs, from producing personal protective equipment (PPE) to addressing food insecurity, and many have done so by shifting their normal operations. We’re proud to highlight some of those policyholders and share how they’re finding different ways to help Texans make it through this unprecedented time.
Café Momentum
Café Momentum, a nonprofit restaurant and culinary training facility, works with the Dallas County Juvenile Justice Department to provide internships for at-risk youth. Since the coronavirus shut down the café's dine in operations, the nonprofit launched Momentum E.A.T.s - engage, act, transform. This campaign raises funds to provide free meals to Richardson ISD students and their families while continuing to support the café’s interns. The program has provided 76,000 meals and has recently expanded to include Dallas ISD, Cornerstone Crossroads Academy and other organizations.
Dixie Flag and Banner Company
San Antonio flag manufacturer, Dixie Flag and Banner Company, has shifted the focus of its operations to produce washable fabric masks for front-line workers, essential employees and the general public. For front-line workers, the reusable masks are designed to fit over N95 masks. In late April the company was making anywhere from 300-450 masks a day.
Front Burner Restaurants
Front Burner, a Dallas company operating seven restaurants, launched a nonprofit serving free curbside meals to those who have been furloughed during the coronavirus outbreak. Furlough Kitchen, a collaboration with Front Burner Catering and CitySquare, feeds about 1,000 people a day, Monday through Friday. The nonprofit has also enabled the company to keep some of their staff employed.
Hardie’s Fresh Foods
Dallas-based produce wholesaler, Hardie’s, normally supplies the restaurant industry but during this time has shifted its operations to offer affordable and accessible fresh produce to the communities it serves. Hardie’s has set up a contactless shopping experience in Austin, Dallas and Houston. Texans can order produce by phone or online and pick-up using curb-side service.
Tige Boats
Abilene boat manufacturer, Tige Boats, shifted production to manufacture PPE for local medical workers. Tige Boats set out to produce 500 shields and masks a day and has now increased their capacity to double that amount. In addition, they are also producing protective suits for hospital workers and have created training videos and templates for other boat manufacturers that are interested in manufacturing PPE.
Tito’s Handmade Vodka
In March, Austin-based Tito’s Vodka, initially committed to producing 24 tons of hand sanitizer to help those most in need. The company has since donated several tons to first responders, hospitals and managed care facilities to communities across Texas as well as several other states. Tito’s is continuing to expand its production of hand sanitizer increasing their capacity to create 60 tons of hand sanitizer per week. In addition to this effort, Tito’s has donated funds to support nonprofits helping with COVID-19 relief, national service industry nonprofits and COVID-19 research.
YMCA of Greater Houston
Even though facilities at the YMCA of Greater Houston are closed, they have partnered with several Houston organizations to provide supportive services for their communities. The YMCA is providing food and supplies to thousands of families at several distribution sites, offering childcare for essential workers and devoting specific resources for vulnerable populations like older adults. To help meet varying needs, they have also compiled a list of COVID-19 resources available to the public.
At Texas Mutual, we're inspired by the work our policyholders are doing and will continue to support them and their employees as they live out our mission to build a stronger, safer Texas. These are just a few of the many businesses finding innovative ways to provide relief for our state and beyond, and as we continue to navigate the coronavirus situation, we know that we're stronger when we stand together.
If you’re a Texas Mutual policyholder who is serving our communities, we want to hear your story. If you’re an agent, let us know about your Texas Mutual clients. Email Gloria Ortiz with your story.