May 11, 2018
Samantha Rendon, Marketing Specialist
“Thank you for all you do. I may not have much, but I am very happy.”
It was a cloudy Tuesday morning and the line for the pantry was already filled three rows. The San Antonio Food Bank truck arrived at 9:00 AM to start unloading the 9 pallets of food for Abundant Life Church of God off S Presa St. I slowly walked around saying hi to the mix of people young and old waiting for their number to be called. As I was standing to the side, a woman came up to me and asked me who I was and what was I doing there. She was an older, kind women with a smile that lit up the room. I introduced myself and let her know I was with the San Antonio Food Bank.
Without any hesitation she said, ” my name is Maria Guzman, 68 years old and a widow.” We started talking and she told me about how she has been coming to this pantry for a year and half. She said she was very thankful to have this pantry. “One day I was riding the bus, talking to my friend how my house had been broken into and after bills I don’t have much to spend on groceries,” Guzman says. “She said come with me to church they give you all you need for free. After that, I came here and I loved it!” Guzman says the food provided by the San Antonio Food Bank is nutritious and delicious. “I may not have much,” Guzman says, “but I am very happy.”
After check in, Guzman and the others and go into the main worship hall for a quick service, while volunteers sort and pack bags. When worship is over, everyone goes back in line in their number order till they are called for food. Guzman smiles away and waits for her number to be called. She finally is able to to grab her grocery cart with packed food and is escorted outside. She transfers all three bags to her own cart for the long bus ride home. When she is packed and ready, she walks over to me, hugs me and says, thank you for all you all do.
Leaving the pantry, I couldn’t help but think about Maria and how thankful she was for the Food Bank. In reality, it is not just the Food Bank alone Maria is able to put food on the table for one more week. It is because of you, our donors who help provide food those facing hunger like Maria. You, the volunteers who come in a few hours a week to make sure the proper boxes get packaged away for transportation to these pantries. Together, we are able to feed 58,000 individuals a week like Maria. Please continue to support your local San Antonio Food Bank today and know you make a difference in Maria’s life and in our community.
If you or someone you know is in need of food assistance, click here to find a partner agency near you.