SAN BENITO — There is no doubt the San Benito and surrounding communities give back to those in need.
After receiving about 450 pounds of food donations Saturday, San Benito Food Pantry president Forest Walker said she and the people who benefit and work at the pantry are truly blessed.
The food was donated by Cameron County District Clerk Eric Garza’s office. The pantry was first on their donation list. For the second year in a row, Garza’s office set up donation spots all over the county. This year, he decided to add San Benito to the list.
As a growing city, Garza said San Benito has great need.
“Right now, we are in the holiday giving season, and this probably (is) one of times where there are more individuals who need assistance or food,” Garza said.
“What better way to do it than getting the whole county involved.”
Even now, the donations keep coming in. Walker expects thousands of donations next week and encourages all to donate, even if it’s one can or 100. Garza agrees.
“Because of the people in the community, we are able to give back,” Garza said.
With Christmas drawing near, the food will go toward families who might not have as much as others, Walker said.
For her, these donations mean many families will eat this week.
The food pantry provides items for low-income residents, families and single-parent families of San Benito and surrounding areas, such as Rio Hondo and El Ranchito.
They serve more than 5,000 families per month, and all the food is donated. The numbers also tend to grow during the holidays.
Walker said this donation to the pantry will last about three weeks.
Every Wednesday is distribution day, from 8 a.m. to noon. Walker said families in need show up as early as 6 a.m., and there always is a line out the door. There’s a bigger line now because it’s Christmas next week, Walker said.
“It means a lot to me, and I know the Lord brought me here to do it,” Walker said.
Vice president Guillermo Mendoza has worked at the pantry for about five years. He sees the need for food grows every year, especially in the summer when kids are out of school and during the holidays.
This Christmas, Mendoza and Walker hope to provide their clients with the food that will hopefully give them a wonderful holiday.
Helping in that effort are other Rio Grande Valley entities. Earlier that day, the pantry received thousands of food items from South Texas Medical Academy and more than $500 from Marine Military Academy.
