The nonprofit alongside First Baptist Church of San Antonio, ventured out to homeless encampments offering coffee, soup, blankets and much more.
SAN ANTONIO — Monday marked a frigid day for millions of people across Texas and for one San Antonio nonprofit, their mission focused on providing warm relief for the homeless community.
Broken Warriors Angels and faith leaders with First Baptist Church of San Antonio spent their day on the east side, handing out survival essentials amid the arctic conditions.
Fred Alvarado, the nonprofit’s CEO and Vietnam veteran, led the charge alongside missions pastor of First Baptist Church of San Antonio Byron Pitts.
“They’re cold and they’re hungry,” Alvarado said. “I saw seven of them (unhoused individuals) in one tent yesterday trying to keep warm.”
Broken Warriors Angels assists primarily homeless veterans, offering everything from employment resources to housing help to navigating appointments with the Department of Veterans Affairs for medical treatment.
Alvarado and crew assisted everyone they could find within east side encampments on Monday afternoon, regardless of whether or not they were military veterans.
The team handed out truck loads of gifts such as coffee, soup and a host of warm clothing, including gloves, blankets and much more.
Free rides to shelters and the hospital were also given to those in need.
“And we’re the hope to go out there and help them as much as we can,” Alvarado said. “They’re walking out there with hardly anything. Try to give them a blanket and a coat and let’s keep them warm until this weather changes a little.”
Inspiring hope and healing remains a constant goal of the work done by Broken Warriors Angels and members of First Baptist Church of San Antonio.
Developing a love for nurturing neighbors, homeless or not, is something Pastor Byron Pitts believes everyone should consider trying out for themselves.
“I once told Fred why don’t you join our church and help us to love the people that you love so much,” Pitts said. “When it’s cold, there’s nothing worse than that. This is just a small part we can play, helping the city as a team to find those who are forgotten, lost, need help.”
Broken Warriors Angels is in vital need of sleeping bags. To learn more how you can donate, go here.