By Marci McPhee, JustServe Specialist, San Antonio East Stake
They came with walkers, wheelchairs, canes, and medical knee scooters. They brought babies in carriers and held children by the hand. Some lined up as early as an hour and a half before the food pantry opened, standing in the cold and occasional drizzle to receive food for their families.
On February 8, 2020, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (San Antonio East Stake) and Catholic Charities partnered to distribute food to those in need. The Mobile Food Pantry called “Hope Mobile” visits the Buena Vista building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 655 Castroville Road on the second Saturday of each month. Assisting patrons in filling out forms and carrying their food were volunteers from both churches, including sister missionaries Hermana Abadia Pazos from Herriman, Utah, and Hermana Thayne from Bountiful, Utah.
A record 65 families were helped, a dramatic increase from last month. This was higher than the previous record of 61 families in October 2018 when this collaboration began. The food distributed included Deseret brand items from the Bishop’s Storehouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, plus other donations gathered by Catholic Charities (see “Food for the Body and Soul” hotlink to https://heartoftexaslatterdaysaints.org/2020/food-for-the-body-and-the-soul/).
Several of the volunteers this month came from the High Country Ward, coordinated by James Duke of the San Antonio East Stake High Council. William Wise from the High Country Ward Bishopric, whispered “This is fun. I’m loving this,” as he helped another patron balance her groceries between her backpack and two bags for carrying, so she could take the bus home. Brother Wise continued, “When you help people, you feel a special spirit from them – a connection, like family, like you know them, even though you have never met. It’s like helping my own family.”
Sister Minerva Gutierrez added, “Siento mucho gozo al poder dar este servicio a la comunidad (I feel much joy to be able to give this service to the community). Estoy muy feliz de ayudar a los hijos de Dios (I am so happy to help these children of God).”
The Mobile Food Pantry not only makes these monthly visits to the Buena Vista building. It also responds to disasters, such as apartment fires or shootings, by providing hot meals to first responders or victims. It has responded to immigration issues in Laredo, helped with the annual homeless count in San Antonio, and provides weekly hot meals to those experiencing homelessness. By meeting people in the community where they are, “Hope Mobile” volunteers can also refer to other local services such as legal assistance, ID recovery, rent and utilities assistance, veteran’s services, etc.
“Hope Mobile” not only stocks food, but also clean clothes (including new socks and underwear), coats when needed, diapers – “Whatever we have we share,” said Tom Hoog, director of programs and community outreach for Catholic Charities, working along with his wife Julie. Tom continued, “Those we serve are nourished by the food, but also the conversation. We see the humanity in each person, including the volunteers. Each one is an individual with their own story, but we see Christ in each one that comes.”