By Joe Robledo, San Antonio East Stake Communications Director with Marci McPhee, Just Serve Specialist
On Saturday, September 26, 2020, the San Antonio East Stake collected an astonishing 1,013 pairs of new and hardly used pants for Haven for Hope. Haven supports people experiencing homelessness in San Antonio.
The Relief Society organizations in each of 14 congregations were the points of contact and the people that were crucial. KSAT12 was gracious enough to place the event on their news website as well. Word of the collection reached Tractor Supply in Adkins, Texas, which donated $75 towards the service project.
While Haven has accepted used clothing in the past, COVID restrictions meant that they had no space to sort donations. For this reason they accepted only new or like-new clothing, and they needed pants the most. Numerous church members donated hardly used pants or purchased new clothes for this drive.These purchases were made at a particular sacrifice, considering the economic conditions due to the COVID virus. To numerous families, this sacrifice was no small thing, yet over a thousand pieces of new and hardly used pants were eventually collected and delivered. For those unable to contribute, many more prayers were offered on behalf of those without homes, prayers that are known only to the Father of us all.
Lee Richardson, Spiritual Services Community Coordinator at Haven for Hope, was extremely receptive and grateful as she said, “You have no idea what this means to us and the people whom we serve.”
These donations are very sacred. What a blessing it was to see the deliveries arrive at Haven for Hope. It was humbling to see the pants and the shorts go into receiving bins and know of the sacrifice that was made by members of the San Antonio East Stake, and what that represented to those individuals who would eventually receive them.
Truly I am reminded of the widow’s mite and how many gave, even at a very great sacrifice. I am reminded of the Savior’s blessing, “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”(Matthew 25:40).
I think of the hands that reached out and took new garments off the store rack; I think of the hands that reach for the wallet; I think of the budgets that were affected by the purchase; I think of loving hearts and the loyalty that members demonstrated to the Savior, as they blessed the lives of His children in need. I consider how warm and pleased our Father in Heaven and the Savior Jesus Christ are, as They see Their children work and sacrifice to bless others.
Truly I saw the hands of the Savior as they filled the bins and delivered the clothes and as the clothes were received. Although the faces of those who will eventually receive these garments will never be seen, the hearts of those who gave and received will be comforted. For the hands of the giver and the receiverthat have hung low will now be lifted up.
Thanks to stake JustServe Specialist Marci McPhee, who organized and coordinated this effort. Stake Media Specialist Timothy Mihalski created the eye-catching flyer and Facebook announcement and that helped spread the news. Special thanks to: Buena Vista – Esmerelda Guzman, Converse – Tessa Allred, Desirae Cobb, Eden – Kathryn Abercrombie, High Country – Sharon Larson, Mission Creek – Lucy Hardy, Pleasanton – Elise Brown, Randolph – Pam Smith, SA 1 Ward – Rachel Vandenberg, SA 10 Ward – Maggie Guerra, Selma – Sarah Moeck, Universal City – Lauren Cunico, Windcrest – Stephanie Klein, Woodlake – Diana Chavez, Valencia – Branch Pres. William Wise