By Marci McPhee, Just Serve Specialist, San Antonio East Stake
It takes more than a global pandemic to stop the big hearts of our Young Women. Girls throughout the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ East Stake collected 247 bags of sanitary supplies for refugee women and girls. Each of the 247 bags contained fifteen assorted sanitary pads, enough for one month for one refugee (some heavy pads, some light).
The bags are distributed by the Center for Refugee Services, which is the only independent nonprofit agency in San Antonio that works exclusively to promote the successful community integration of legally resettled refugees. The refugees come from Burma (Myannmar), DR Congo, Eritrea, Sudan, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Central African Republic, etc.
Some of the young women decorated the bags, to make the refugee women feel special, transmitting love and support as well as needed supplies. Some enterprising young women sewed 28 small cloth bags for the refugees, especially young girls who are getting used to having periods, so they would have a discrete, cute way to carry the pads. Continue reading “Young Women “Help a Sister in Need”– Sanitary Supplies Collection for Refugees”
An “18-wheeler” from Salt Lake City stops in San Antonio to drop off a load of food before departing for Houston.
For the past 18 years Lars Shivley has worked as an over-the-road truck driver for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Deseret Transportation. It’s his responsibility to deliver Bishop’s Storehouse commodities throughout the United States and on a limited basis into Canada. “In addition to that, I pick up supplies to restock the Central warehouse based in Salt Lake City. I’m also part of an agricultural fleet that’s responsible for hauling fresh bulk commodities into the canneries and grain supply stores throughout Utah and Idaho.”
Truck from Deseret Transportation is being unloaded at the San Antonio Food Bank
But on this day, he pulled into San Antonio with his truck full of food to be distributed to several different organizations responsible for getting food into the hands of those who need it. 40% of his load would go to Catholic Charities. The remaining 60% would be divided between the San Antonio Food Bank, West Avenue Compassion, Coker Methodist Food Pantry, and the Bulverde Food Pantry.
Lars Shivley, an over-the-road truck driver for the Deseret Transportation, knows he is delivering far more than just cargo. He brings opportunity and hope.
“It is a great gift and blessing to be Christ’s hands,” Shivley said. “I feel in a very real sense that for me this is a calling not just a job. I have the opportunity to help my brothers and sisters wherever I go to bring needed supplies to help them so that they will be able to have the things that they need and to help them know that our brothers and sisters love them.” Continue reading “Organizations Working Together to Get Food to San Antonio’s Underserved”
“We went from feeding 60,000 people a week to 120,000,” said Eric Cooper, President and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank and member of the Summerglen Hills Ward, Hill Country Stake. That simple statement regarding the increased need for food during the pandemic has resonated with many in greater San Antonio. The challenge is clear, to find ways to keep enough food coming into the food bank to keep it operating.
Enthusiastic youth direct traffic into the Indian Springs chapel in north central Bexar County.
One of many people who resolved to help was Bishop Thayer Rogers, also of Summerglen Hills Ward. He proposed a service project that would invite stake members to bring groceries to a central location where volunteers would collect the food, put it in bins and turn it over to the Food Bank.
More than 80 young women and young men as well as youth leaders and missionaries worked to transfer food from vehicles to Food Bank bins.
Stake and ward leaders realized the project was a good one. However, they knew they not only needed many volunteers throughout the day but they needed to ensure that the project was carried out in a manner that protected the health of the volunteers.
The Hill Country Stake Presidency saw a way to get the volunteers as well as help with another problem. “The last activity we had with our youth was the Trek from March 12 to 14,” said President Freeman. “It was on trek that we received word about the pandemic closures for all our church meetings. Over the past few months, we have become increasingly aware of the needs in our communities as well as the sense of isolation our youth felt as a result of on-line school, on-line seminary, and stay-at-home orders.” Continue reading “Food Drive Brings in Over 7,000 Pounds of Food”
By Marci McPhee, Just Serve Specialist, San Antonio East Stake
An astonishing amount of food – more than 4,763 pounds, or almost 2½ tons of food – was collected by the San Antonio East Stake for our partner, Catholic Charities, on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Catholic Charities feeds thousands of people through various programs, including the monthly visit of the mobile food pantry to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Buena Vista building). Although many Latter-day Saints are struggling to make ends meet, their generosity in responding to the needs of the community was incredible.
Some food donations from High Country Ward
Lizzy Perales, Tracy Ladgenski, Brenda Beltran and Eduardo Rocha of Catholic Charities (CC) said, “Thank you friends! The amount of food we received is a major blessing. We are so blessed by your generosity!!” Antonio Fernandez, CEO of CC, soberly remarked, “Coronavirus has been very tough on all of us. The pressure to serve, protect clients and ourselves, fundraise, and be creative to provide for more and more who seek assistance is taking a toll on all of us. Despite the ongoing matters of this pandemic, we will continuously focus on serving all with love, respect, and dignity. We will do what needs to be done to ensure that we have enough food for those who come to us vulnerable, hungry and in crisis.” Continue reading “Sharing Food and Faith: Food Drive for Catholic Charities”
“Just like American women knitted socks during WWII, this is our time for ‘knitting socks.’” —Carol Neville
On March 21, weeks before the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) issued its recommendation for all citizens to wear face masks to stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus, Carol Neville (San Pedro Ward) decided she couldn’t wait. Neville and her husband, a local epidemiologist, grew increasingly alarmed by news reports of personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages for doctors and nurses, and the idea of using a scarf or bandana as protection against a killer virus appalled her.
“Heck, no!” she thought. “I’m making face masks. Just like American women knitted socks during WWII, this is our time for ‘knitting socks.’”
Although her research showed that homemade masks were not as efficient at filtering out the virus as medical grade ones, Neville felt something was better than nothing. Soon after posting her invitation for volunteer sewers on the Facebook group Latter-Day Saint Ladies of San Antonio, she extended the call to all area seamstresses with a new FB group, Sew Masks San Antonio. SMSA quickly became a clearinghouse for individual and professional requests, along with new ideas for patterns, research on the best material for filters, and trouble-shooting sewing problems.
“Health care workers in desperate need left requests, along with individuals at serious risk with asthma and diabetes. If a need presented, volunteers just jumped in and said they would take care of it,” according to Neville.
Because of stay-at-home orders, volunteers set up shop on dining room tables and kitchen counters, with most donating their own fabric and supplies for free. Marathon sessions of cutting fabric, pleating, ironing, clipping, pinning, wiring, inserting elastic, and sewing continued for weeks. Completed masks were bagged and left on porches, to be delivered by volunteers to nursing homes, hospitals, firefighters, police, even school cafeteria workers.
Neville and her son, David, take turns at the sewing machine. Her daughter Christine is actively involved in Phoenix, AZ’s face mask project.
One such delivery volunteer is Dr. Erica Middleton (Las Lomas Ward), a clinical psychologist who works in several local hospitals. During her rounds, Middleton noticed that wearing a homemade mask over her traditional surgical face covering helped patients relax and warm up to her quicker.
“Oh, my goodness, I love your mask!” and “It matches your outfit!” were familiar phrases that Dr. Middleton heard, from patients and staff alike. When she brought a large donation to hospital workers, “It was like Christmas, with nurses and other staff picking out masks!” They were pleasantly surprised when Middleton informed them that the masks were made by ladies from her Church, free of charge.
Colorful masks like this one, worn by Dr. Middleton over her hospital mask, are less intimidating for patients who find hospital settings a bit stressful.Middleton’s son Jack, age 6, shows off his “foxy” mask made by a church friend
* * * *
“Who would’ve thought that fabric hoarders would be the ones who came to the rescue of the Coronavirus pandemic!” —Sandy Starr
Many of the masks delivered by Erica Middleton were made by Sandy Starr (Sonterra Ward), a retired home economics teacher and professional sewer who immediately volunteered at SMSA. Starr’s personal stash of fabric and supplies was deep and she generously offered materials to those in need, along with expertise from years of sewing experience.
Starr began her lifelong passion for fabric and sewing at age 12, and has taught 2,000-3,000 students to sew.
“I’ve used one roll of 144 yards of elastic [almost one-and-a-half football fields!] and am on my second roll now!” she mused. “If we could’ve met together, we’d have formed an assembly line and it would have been easier.” Even so, she still felt the spirit of giving service while working alone.
Before sewing hundreds of face masks for San Antonians, Starr sewed wallaby pouches for animals injured in Australian bush fires last year.
“I’m not an essential worker but given my limitations, it was a safe way for me to help. Who would’ve thought that fabric hoarders would be the ones who came to the rescue of the Coronavirus pandemic!”
* * * *
“This helps me get out of bed everyday — it makes me forget about myself and my pain by serving others.” —Lluvia Martineau
Lluvia Martineau (Sonterra Ward) wanted to use her sewing skills to help others during the Covid-19 crisis and was eager to join SMSA at Sandy Starr’s invitation. Martineau, a self-taught seamstress who designed and sewed her own clothes as a teenager, suffers significant pain and discomfort from unresolved health issues. She credits her newfound purpose in sewing masks to helping her overcome daily challenges.
Lluvia Martineau with another delivery of donated masks.
“This is what I needed to do at this time,” she reflects. “This helps me get out of bed everyday — it makes me forget about myself and my pain by serving others.”
Even with Martineau’s years of sewing experience, crafting face masks still presented challenges. “It took me forever to sew my first 45 masks, but I was so proud!” Her desire to increase her production rate was richly rewarded as she often felt the Spirit teaching her how to improve her technique.
One of Martineau’s most recent donations included sewing 20 masks for San Antonio’s Business Community’s “Covered with Compassion,” a drive for 50,000 face coverings by May 8. She and several other SMSA volunteers contributed hours of work in helping meet our city’s demand. Says Martineau, “I really want to teach my kids to serve and how happy it can make you.”
When cafeteria workers from Stahl Elementary needed face masks, Lluvia provided them.The Star Wars mask worn by Armando Diaz (Sonterra Ward) is one of Martineau’s favorites.
“I was his wife’s ministering sister until she passed away last month. He loves his mask because he gets compliments everywhere he goes and wore the mask for his wife’s funeral.”
* * * *
James, Carol, and David Neville (L-R) “share the trail”, not the air
Although it was impossible to interview all 250 members of Sew Masks San Antonio, it is important to note their participation in the cherished American tradition of defending their country against all enemies, including the invisible. Uniting in a worthy cause to help fellow citizens is a wonderful example of how the Savior wants us to minister to our brothers and sisters, and a bright reflection of our Church’s values. Today, two months after Sew Masks San Antonio volunteers revved up their sewing machines to meet the city’s urgent need for face masks, requests have slowed considerably. But as long as Covid-19 is still active, Sew Masks San Antonio is here to honor all requests posted on its site.
The line of cars which stretched over 5 miles long is a testament to the crushing weight the COVID pandemic has placed on many families. The people came this evening for the opportunity to get some free food, diapers and hopefully a little relief. “Food from the Heart”, sponsored by Catholic Charities of San Antonio brought out not only those in need, but hordes of volunteers.
Shannon Landen, and her daughter stuff diapers into bags
Volunteers came to show their support for those suffering during this time. Shannon Landen, from the San Antonio North Stake’s Sonterra Ward, really felt like she needed to come help this evening. That was a lot easier said than done since the virus has truly scared her. She said “If I can do this, anybody can do this because I am a huge chicken.” Landen continued, “Yesterday I had the thought come to me about the mothers of the Stripling Warriors, that their sons knew their mothers knew it. As I thought about that, I began to think about what example am I setting for my senior son who is about to go off to BYU and serve a mission. I thought, I’m not setting a very good example of faith if I’m hiding away in my house. I asked my husband for a blessing of comfort and here I am.”
Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S. personally went and thanked volunteers, here he is with several members from the Church’s San Antonio North Stake
Catholic Charities President/CEO, Antonio Fernandez, said, “We are so proud of our great city for stepping up to help their neighbors and to our partners who continue to serve with us by providing food, funds, and collaboration when our community needs us most.” Continue reading “Food from the Heart”
by Margot Millard, San Antonio North Stake Media Specialist
Tuesday, April 27, was one of those hot, muggy days that oblige most Texans to seek out the cool recesses of an air-conditioned home, but not the young men and missionaries of San Antonio’s North Stake! Armed with face masks that quickly lost their starch in the wilting heat, these eight young men and their leader, Amy Livingstone, emptied an entire shipping container of badly-needed donated diapers into a storage unit at Seton Home, where residents will use them in caring for their young children.
“Angels” in disguise – Henry Livingstone, Caden Gifford, Edric Munoz, Joshua Munoz, Gunner Tveten
“You are angels!” exclaimed Gladys Gonzales, Seton Home’s executive director, when the group (including four missionaries awaiting reassignment) finished 3.5 hours later. “People from your church are just awesome,” added Eduardo Rocha, Seton Home’s volunteer coordinator. “We can always count on you.” Continue reading ““Angels” Come to Help”
by Ken Jarvis, with Leisa Parsons – Area Media Specialists
Many of us, and possibly for good reason, have mixed feelings about social media. However, since the COVID 19 virus has kept us isolated in our homes this same social media allows us the opportunity to gather and socialize, learn, conduct business and participate in councils with our leaders.
Sergio Lozano on the piano and Benjamin Lozano perform for the Deerfield Ward
“Since the COVID 19 pandemic hit it has turned ministering on its ear,” said Peter Pixton, Bishop of the Encino Park Ward. “When it hit, I had 12 missionaries out in the field. Seven of them were brought home. For those who were brought home there was no opportunity to speak in Sacrament meeting, there was no youth fireside or any of those things.”
He explained, “What we’ve done, instead, is to have a question and answer session with our youth and returned missionaries using technology. They showed pictures from their mission and talked a bit about different experiences they had. That has been a fun and a rich experience for all.”
Elder and Sister Jackson speak during a Zoom fireside of their time in Malasia
The North Stake’s San Pedro Ward had a fireside to hear reports from their newly returned missionaries, Austin Zimmerman who served in the Dominican Republic and Elder Lyle and Sister Maime Jackson who were serving a Humanitarian mission in Malaysia. Sister Jackson told of a tradition from their branch in Borneo. She said, after people shook hands, they would immediately put their hand over their heart. “It was their love coming to you and you putting it in your heart.” But they had to leave all that behind. Continue reading “Pandemic Encourages Creative Use of Social Media”
Over 35,000 pounds of canned goods, flour, pasta and other non-perishable food items arrived at the San Antonio Food Bank just after midday. The delivery is part of an ongoing global effort from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to address the immediate needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Food Bank has seen unprecedented numbers of people seeking help during the COVID pandemic. They have been handing out food on-site Monday through Saturday, with larger, mass distributions happening every Tuesday and Friday at various locations around the city. Phillip Kent, Communications and Marketing Director, for the Food Bank said, “We’ve essentially doubled what we usually do and so our need has doubled too. That’s why we’re grateful for donations like this one from your Church.”
The Food Bank usually feeds between 58,000 to 60,000 individuals a week, that has increased to 120,000 individuals. Those needing assistance pre-register on the Food Bank’s website. The need to register is explained by a statement that Food Bank CEO, Eric Cooper is known for, “Food for today, food for tomorrow, food for a lifetime.”
Kent explained the saying. Food for today is to take care of people’s immediate needs. He said, “Every distribution of food we get them to pre-register, that way we can address the ‘food for tomorrow’ by helping get those who need it enrolled in programs like SNAP and WIC.” “Food for a lifetime” is hopefully addressed through the Food Bank’s job assistance programs like their Culinary training program and by working with the Texas Workforce Commission and other partners.
Beef Stew from the Church’s Ogden Cannery
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has approved more than 110 COVID-19 relief projects in 57 countries so far, partnering with humanitarian agencies, health ministries, hospitals and food banks.
