SEPTEMBER 6, 2017
Jennifer Alejos, Marketing Specialist

 “New Braunfels is very fortunate to have this. Thank you for helping the community. I can’t express it enough.”

“We were overwhelmed and overjoyed,” recounts Kathy on her first visit to the Kitchen Table, our original client-choice pantry in New Braunfels. “We were thankful for the help they were able to provide to us.”

Kathy’s family ran out of resources when her husband abruptly lost his job. Herself, being too ill to work, panicked and called a hotline that redirected her to the Kitchen Table.

“I called to see what the program was about and they were very informative; I came the next day to register.”

She continues, “Everyone was very sweet and nice. They didn’t make me feel awful about asking for help. One phone call turned into a blessing.”

Kathy learned how to shop according to our point system that allocates the daily intake of every food group.

“The meals we make now are a lot better than from before we started coming to the Food Bank. They’re more fruit and plant-based.”

Kathy loves the shopping aspect of the program and it’s relaxed, comfortable setting for clients. She often forgets that she’s in a food pantry and not a regular grocery store.

Kathy started to notice a transformation in her well-being when she began to attend our budgeting and cooking classes, and made it a family activity at home.

“I learned a lot about budgeting and how to save money. The classes snapped us out of some things that we had forgotten about.”

“Our children are older now so we try to instill those values into them. These classes helped the family a lot.”

The whole experience showed Kathy that she had a lot in common with her neighbors. As she visited the pantry, she noticed that many of the people around her were close neighbors who also needed help.

“I met a lot of people who I didn’t know were in the same predicament that I was.”

Bonding with others who are also in need has created a second family for Kathy.

Kathy credits the helpfulness of the New Braunfels Food Bank staff for providing her with guidance and hospitality.

“I like going to the pantry because everyone is always smiling. They’re there to help.”

“New Braunfels is very fortunate to have this. Thank you for helping the community. I can’t express it enough.”