Rolling relief
Bold signage marks the A.N.D.Y. trailer, which brings hot food and groceries on a weekly basis to the hungry in the Highland Lakes. Staff photo by Maci Cottingham
A.N.D.Y. trailer feeds, helps families across the Highland Lakes
A black trailer with bold white letters rolls along the winding roads of the Highland Lakes each week, a small but steady beacon for families who rely on it for food and more. Soon after the trailer sets up in one of its weekly locations, the irresistible aroma of sizzling hamburgers fills the air. Along with the hot meal, volunteers hand out frozen casseroles, carefully packed bags of essentials, and other donated items to visitors in line.
The impact goes beyond groceries: Families leave feeling cared for and seen, said Jackie English, board member for the Ark of Highland Lakes, a church-based nonprofit serving families across Burnet, Llano, and surrounding counties. Putting A.N.D.Y. into action late last year was another example of the Ark fulfilling its founding mission: to respond wherever and whenever people need assistance.
“SNAP went down, and we turned it from a disaster relief trailer to food-based,” said English, referring to the federal government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which temporarily stopped paying benefits in November 2025 when Congress failed to pass a budget.
A.N.D.Y. is named in honor of the late Andy Burke of Horseshoe Bay. The letters stand for Abundant Nutrition Delivering Yahweh, the Hebrew name for God. Each week, volunteers stock the trailer with an assortment of donations such as bags of toiletries, cleaning supplies, and other necessities.
“Depending on the week, sometimes it’s overflowing,” said Elyse Sellmann, the Ark’s director of engagement.
The trailer rotates weekly among four locations, including every Wednesday at Christ Redeemer Fellowship in Granite Shoals. Volunteers coordinate with local food pantries and organizations, including the Hill Country Hunger Alliance, to ensure resources are efficiently distributed to families who need them most.
“We’re not trying to reinvent any wheel. We’re just trying to fill gaps and offer support,” Sellmann said. “We just want to serve the local communities.”
At each stop, volunteers do more than hand out supplies; they connect with families. English said they take time to talk with people, learn about their challenges, and pray with them when invited. The trailer is a lifeline on wheels, stocked to meet both urgent needs and the small comforts that make the day-to-day a little easier.
“Our main mission is to connect people to a love of Jesus so that they know they are important to us and to him,” English said. “The Ark is the body of Christ in the Highland Lakes. We worship in different boxes on Sunday morning, but the rest of the time, we are the hands and feet of Jesus. We serve together.”
Since its inception, the trailer has made stops at more than 15 locations across the Highland Lakes. At the Granite Shoals site alone, volunteers distribute roughly 300 meals to at least 75 families each week. Across all stops, the trailer serves more than 300 families weekly, providing a reliable, consistent source of support.
Summer brings its own challenges. When schools close, children lose access to the meals they depend on during the academic year, creating nutritional gaps. To meet the community’s needs, A.N.D.Y. plans to expand its locations to complement the Ark’s regular summer meal program, which serves roughly 200 children and 100 families.
“That’s our heart: to serve and fill gaps,” Sellmann said.
The trailer traces its roots to disaster relief, having served meals to flood survivors and first responders during major events in the region, including the devastating July 2025 flood. Over time, it has grown into a consistent community resource, adaptable to both urgent crises and ongoing local needs.
In a region where economic pressures, transportation gaps, and seasonal challenges can leave families struggling, the A.N.D.Y. trailer has become a weekly anchor. Its black exterior, marked with stark white letters and stocked with food, hygiene products, and care, stands out like a small lighthouse in neighborhoods that might otherwise go unnoticed. Whether it’s a hot meal, a bag of supplies, or a moment of prayer, the trailer represents a sustained commitment to neighbors across the Highland Lakes.
Weekly schedules are posted on social media and the Ark of Highland Lakes website.