By Leisa Parsons, Area Media Specialist
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the newest participating member of the Helotes House of Neighborly Service. Helotes House is an ecumenical organization in the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Helotes House provides food, toiletries, clothing, school supplies, and “make pledges for utility bills and emergency rental assistance … to our brothers and sisters in need” said Joe Beach, President of Helotes House.
The Presidency of the Church’s West Stake wrote a Humanitarian grant for Helotes House, asking for assistance from the Bishop’s Storehouse. It was approved and this morning they toured the Storehouse to get an idea of the commodities available for their food pantry and learn how it all works. The Humanitarian grant will allow the Helotes House to work with the headquarters for the San Antonio Bishops Storehouse, located in Colorado. They will order food items that will then be delivered to the Storehouse and set aside for pick up by the Helotes House.
Last year Helotes House of Neighborly Service provided help to 994 individuals and families. Beach said, “We’re small” however, Pat Duginski, secretary for Helotes House, quickly added, “We’re being discovered, especially after the heat of last month and this month.” It was the aim of President Lance Bradford of the San Antonio West Stake to help make up for the shortfall in Helotes House’s pantry. The shortfall was brought on by their clients unusually high utility bills, straining already tight budgets.
The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, of Our Lady of Guadalupe Conference in Helotes, manages the Helotes House of Neighborly Service. Besides the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there are five other Catholic and Protestant churches that participate.
The Helotes House is open four days a week and is located at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Annex in Helotes. This summer, the Church of Jesus Christ provided 156 jars of peanut butter and also 125 other food items to the Helotes House. Additionally, the Church’s West Stake will be holding a food drive in October for much needed food items for the Helotes House.
Helotes House is manned by approximately 40 volunteers. Their goal is to seek out other churches in Helotes and Northwest San Antonio to participate with the them as they continue to grow as an ecumenical organization dedicated to the support of people in need.
