By Marci McPhee, JustServe Specialist, San Antonio East Stake
When packing the Mobile Food Pantry in preparation for its monthly visit to the Buena Vista building, Julie Hoog of Catholic Charities wondered, will more people come because of the coronavirus situation, or fewer? Will more people be facing food insecurity, especially hourly workers and those who depend on tips, or will people observe social distancing and stay home? In the end, they decided to pack the truck with enough food to meet last month’s record number of 65 families helped. But the turnout even surpassed last month’s record. In March, 82 families were helped, most of them new families.
On Saturday, March 14, 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 Spanish-speaking missionaries Elder Thrythall and Elder Tudor, and members of the Mission Creek Ward, among others. Food was donated by Catholic Charities and the Bishop’s Storehouse of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Deseret brand items).
This time, new coronavirus precautions to help keep these vulnerable families safe included letting clients wait outside in the open air, fewer clients at a time at the sign-in tables and wiping down the table and chair between clients. James Duke of the San Antonio High Council, who has coordinated this monthly partnership since the beginning, said, “If you’re going to do it, do it right.” Taking a break from wiping tables, Brother Duke went to make more copies of the sign-in form for the greater-than-expected number of clients.
One client made it known that he was deaf. He showed his ID to the volunteer so she could copy his information onto the form. She asked him, clearly mouthing the words, “Is there anyone else in your household?” He smiled, pointed to his left ring finger and said “Rachel” (name has been changed). The volunteer grinned back at him and listened as he told his story: after a stroke left him unable to move, hear or speak, gradually his mobility and speech returned. His hearing did not. “But God is good,” they agreed, grateful for his improvement. Returning to the form, the volunteer asked, “What’s your cellphone number?” “No phone. Can’t hear,” he grinned again, pointing to his ear. They shared a laugh before they went out together to get his food.
In these challenging times, this ongoing partnership between two churches is part of the safety net to help community members make it through. “We’re in this together,” said one volunteer. “It’s what Jesus would do.”