The goal of “Thanksgiving 365” is to raise funds for the entire year by November 20.
SAN ANTONIO — Fighting back tears, Debra Gonzales walked out the door of the emergency food pantry with big bags of groceries.
Gonzales, who said she has health complications, said the loss of benefits during the government shutdown has been painful.
“I never have to come to places like this! This is a first time for us!” Gonzales said of her visit to Inner City Development in the heart of the west side on Chihuahua Street.
Gonzales said, “I get food stamps. And we didn’t get them this month and I’m taking medication. For me to take my medication, I need to take it with food. If I don’t have food, how am I gonna take my medication?”
She said money is so tight, it has been a frightening balancing act.
“We get money, but we only get like a little bit. It’s either the bills or food. We have to pay the bills because we don’t pay the bills, you gotta turn the light off and the water, so we have to pick and choose,” Gonzales said.
Expressing the frustration of living on the edge, Gonzales said, “We’re really struggling. It’s kind of hard. It’s hard. It’s really hard.”
Smiling as she walked away with hope, Gonzales said, “Look at the food they gave us! We’re blessed with that food. We really are and I thank God they helped us out!”
The pantry, which has been a staple of one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods for decades, funds the operation with an annual campaign they call “Thanksgiving 365.”
They want everyone to remember that hunger is not just an issue during the holidays, but every day.
In addition to their food pantry, they provide sack lunches for about 800 unhoused people every month and their summer program for kids serves almost 100 hungry kids every day.
Their goal is to raise $40,000 by November 20, with volunteers fasting until they each reach individuals goals of $1,000.
Richard Montez is the chairman of the group’s board of directors.
Montez said, “For those of you who have been paying attention to current events, you know that the US federal government has been shut down for several weeks and even as legislators are negotiating to reopen the government, there still remains a great deal of uncertainty around SNAP programs and federal workers getting paid.”
Now more than ever, Montez said, community support is crucial.
Patti Radle, who has had a leadership role with the group for decades, said on behalf of those fasting, “We don’t want anybody to miss Thanksgiving, so we ask that you give quickly.”
Radle echoed remarks by Montez about the national food insecurity challenge. “We’re raising more money this year because food insecurity is at a higher level, especially with the rise in the cost of food,” Radle said.
Board member Dr. Mary Hibberd said making sure everyone has access to good food is essential. “Adequate nutrition is the basis of a good and healthy society!” Hibberd enthused.
“I have spent decades taking care of babies and folks that are malnourished,” Hibberd said, adding getting a good early start is the most important. “From the time a baby is conceived, their brain is developing. They have 25% of the size of their brain when they’re born.”
The group expects to serve more than 45,000 meals to families in crisis during the coming year.
The group’s website has more information about the campaign.
There is a link to give a secure tax-deductible donation on the page.