Adrian Castillo and Brandon Riggins serve as firefighters at a military installation in Corpus Christi. Deemed mission essential, they’re working without pay.
SAN ANTONIO — One San Antonio nonprofit led by a Vietnam veteran, has been on a mission to ensure federal workers and their families don’t go hungry as the government shutdown drags on with no end in sight.
“We’re an organization that’s driven by the heart. Our Operation Emergent Needs, we’ll respond immediately when somebody needs us,” said Army veteran Tony Fuentes, executive director of the San Antonio Coalition for Veterans and Families.
The nonprofit, born out of the COVID-19 pandemic, provides a variety of aid, including temporary shelter, rental and utility help and food assistance.
“We help over 350 veterans a year. This year we’re probably going to surpass 400,” Fuentes said.
Congress failed to pass appropriations legislation on Oct. 1, resulting in what’s become the second longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
Fuentes noted how numerous organizations with military connections pitched in to supplement almost $10,000 worth of H-E-B gift cards for federal workers on military bases, including Joint Base San Anton and facilities in Corpus Christi and Kingsville.
On Monday, two federal firefighter captains traveled from Corpus Christi to meet Fuentes and the nonprofit team where they received dozens of $100 H-E-B gift cards.
“It means so much. Every dollar counts right now,” said Brandon Riggins, a firefighter at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi.
Riggins, who supports his wife and children, said morale has dropped among fellow firefighters as they continue working without pay.
“Working the 144 hours, being away from our families, and still doing our job but not getting paid, it’s pretty tough,” Riggins said.
His friend and colleague, Adrian Castillo, echoed that sentiment, stressing how the gift cards brought a sense of relief and appreciation.
“Even though with the shutdown we’re still required to come to work and not get paid,” Castillo said. “Having an organization out of San Antonio reach out to help us out down in South Texas, it’s just great to see all that going on.”
Castillo’s just hoping Washington lawmakers are able to agree on a funding bill soon.
“We hope this resolution or some funding will get passed and we can start getting paid again,” Castillo said.
Fuentes said the coalition will continue to provide assistance for as long as the nonprofit is able. To learn more on how to help, click here.