AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Central Texas Food Bank is expanding efforts to keep Austin Independent School District students and their families fed by opening up a new pantry at Galindo Elementary School. On Wednesday morning, the food bank cut the ribbon on its new "Feeding Futures School Pantry" at the campus located in south Austin. The pantry is open to all AISD families and is a welcome sight for the campus. Central Texas Food Bank opens Feeding Futures School Pantry at Galindo Elementary School on Jan. 14, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) Central Texas Food Bank opens Feeding Futures School Pantry at Galindo Elementary School on Jan. 14, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) Central Texas Food Bank opens Feeding Futures School Pantry at Galindo Elementary School on Jan. 14, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) Central Texas Food Bank opens Feeding Futures School Pantry at Galindo Elementary School on Jan. 14, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) Central Texas Food Bank opens Feeding Futures School Pantry at Galindo Elementary School on Jan. 14, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) Central Texas Food Bank opens Feeding Futures School Pantry at Galindo Elementary School on Jan. 14, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) Central Texas Food Bank opens Feeding Futures School Pantry at Galindo Elementary School on Jan. 14, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) Central Texas Food Bank opens Feeding Futures School Pantry at Galindo Elementary School on Jan. 14, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Todd Bailey) CTFB launched the school pantry program in 2024, which expanded partnerships with school districts to establish those K-12 school pantries, according to the CTFB website. The food bank has opened eight school pantries since this time last year, and the program has distributed more than 75,000 meals, according to CTFB. Sixty-one percent of Galindo elementary students rely on free and reduced lunch, according to the food bank. Additionally, nearly 90% of them live in financially disadvantaged homes. "Life is hard in general, but when you know you have a space in your own home -- and I call Galindo my home -- it makes it more accessible, more comfortable. Sometimes it's hard to ask for help, but when it's in your own home, it makes it that much easier," said Linda Santos, who is a Galindo Elementary school parent. According to CTFB, Travis County has a 20.9% "high rate of childhood food insecurity," which the food bank said is higher than the national average of 17.9%. “Partnerships like the Galindo Pantry with CTFB make it easier for our families to get what they need and keep their kids nourished and ready to learn. I’m grateful to live in a city like Austin that helps us support every family in our district, bringing Strong Schools, Stronger Austin to life," AISD Superintendent Matias Segura said in a CTFB news release.