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It turns out, Austin's beloved actor Matthew McConaughey isn't the only talent in the family as his children are already entering the creative business.
McConaughey was featured on this month's People Magazine cover in a photo taken by none other than his kids. In fact, the magazine featured a whole spread taken by his 12-year-old son, Levi.
In the spread, the 50-year-old actor discusses his joy in fatherhood, telling People, becoming a father was "ahead of any dreams of a career or vocation or fame or wealth. Being a father was the paramount."
McConaughey told People that quarantine has, in a sense, been a blessing on his children, Levi, 10-year-old Vida and 8-year-old Livingston, and encouraged them to delight in and hone their creative abilities.
The actor, who wears many hats from UT professor to novelist, told People that all three children have become quite good at snapping his photo, but they each have their own varied and independent interests, and he is proud that they are becoming self-reliant.
"The only thing I ever knew I wanted to be was a father and it's remained the pinnacle for me," McConaughey told People. "Being a dad was always my only dream."
Fatherhood is something McConaughey talks about in his new memoir, "Greenlights," which will be featured at the Texas Book Festival this year. The book comes out Oct. 20, but is currently available for preorder.
More on McConaughey:
'Greenlights': Matthew McConaughey spins his journals into a book(PAN Photo Agency/Shutterstock)- Matthew McConaughey's new book joins Texas Book Festival ... ›
- Austin FC fans to host Matthew McConaughey in memers-only Q n A ... ›
- Matthew McConaughey offers himself and UT football to raise funds ... ›
- McConaughey talks to former Longhorn Emmanuel Acho - austonia ›
- Minister of Culture Matthew McConaughey talks preserving Austin culture on Joe Rogan podcast - austonia ›
- Matthew McConaughey may consider a run for Texas governor - austonia ›
- Matthew McConaughey and Will Ferrell go head to head in Austin FC vs. LAFC - austonia ›
- Texans vote McConaughey in latest governor poll - austonia ›
- Matthew McConaughey reportedly mulls run for Texas governor - austonia ›
- McConaughey to start the engines at Sundays NASCAR race in Austin - austonia ›
- Most Austin voters support Matthew McConaughey for governor - austonia ›
- Matthew McConaughey, Emmanuel Acho join forces for public Q&A - austonia ›
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Caused mostly by a February recall due to contamination issues, followed by the Abbott Nutrition factory closure in Michigan, the shortage has left Austin shelves barren. However, earlier this week, U.S. officials announced a plan with the facility to restart production.
In the meantime, local parents in crisis have turned toward the Mother’s Milk Bank to keep their babies fed.
HEB on East 7th has been picked clean of formula and is limiting purchases. (Laura Figi/Austonia)
The milk bank—which takes donations from lactating mothers and dispenses milk to babies in the NICU—has been helping feed upwards of 30 families in need as the formula supply tightens.
According to the bank’s executive director Kim Updegrove, Mother’s Milk Bank has seen an uptick in calls from parents with healthy babies in need of help since the shortage began.
“We aren't used to hearing from families with healthy infants,” Updegrove said. “They're typically very upset, angry, frustrated, sobbing—it's scary to not be able to feed your infants. So in the past few weeks, those calls have been significantly increasing.”
Mothers are only able to donate if they are within a year postpartum, so Updegrove said they are constantly bringing on and retiring donors. While donors had been on a 30% decline leftover from 2021 when the shortage began, Updegrove said the shortage has led to mass community interest and more than 90 prospective donors in just the past few days.
“We and other milk banks are experiencing significant interest from the community—becoming milk donors and helping to turn around this crisis,” Updegrove said. “Every infant needs to be fed, every one of us can relate to that need, and we need to make sure as a community that it happens.”
Whole Foods downtown was also cleaned out of typical formula. (Laura Figi/Austonia)
While you may still be able to find formula at places like Whole Foods—which currently has goat milk, soy and plant-based formula in stock—Updegrove said it might not be what a baby needs.
Updegrove said it is best to buy types that say “infant formula,” as they are FDA approved and will provide the nutrients, vitamins and minerals a baby needs. Plant-based, homemade, non-cow's milk or diluting formula may not provide the same nutritional value.
As the community navigates the shortage, Updegrove said the most important way to help out is to not panic buy or stockpile.
“This is a crisis for families,” Updegrove said. “This is the time for the community to gather together and figure out what everyone can do to help families with young infants.”
