SAN ANTONIO - Dozens of hungry San Antonians got an unexpected holiday surprise today when Food Bank volunteers delivered food boxes to their doors.
"It means everything to me," says Grace Sosa, who lives in one of the 100 houses where the "No Child Goes Hungry" initiative paid a visit.
"My mom passed two years ago and my husband pretty much after that, so this has been hard."
Sosa received a box filled with fruit, cereal, grains, vegetables and proteins.
For many recipients, it may be the difference between a happy holiday and a sad one.
What would Sosa have eaten if volunteer Pamela Gilmore-Tate hadn't brought a holiday box to her front door?
"I don't know what I would do," she said after giving Gilmore-Tate a huge hug. "It would be very hard for me."
Gilmore-Tate volunteers at the Food Bank three times a month. She loaded her SUV at 9 a.m. today and quickly started dropping off boxes on the Westside.
"It just warms my heart," she says. "That's why I do it. These people need help and I like being the one who delivers to them."
Sosa was overcome by emotion when she saw what Gilmore-Tate was bringing her. The eight-year volunteer was also touched by Sosa's response.
"It feels happy, excited, especially when I see someone like this who seems to need it," Gilmore-Tate says.
The food delivery program was a coordinated effort between the Food Bank, local philanthropist Harvey Najim, Fox 29 and several other sponsors.
"The holiday season, while joyful, can sometimes be difficult for folks who don't have enough food to put on the table," says Melanie McGuire, the chief program officer at the Food Bank.
She says feeding the food-insecure requires community-wide participation.
"It really takes everyone. It takes a village to be able to address the needs," McGuire says. "We've seen many families that have seen the pinch of inflation and high grocery prices."
Sosa certainly appreciates not having to go out and find food in frigid weather.
"I'm not leaving," she says. "It's going to be too cold."
If you are in need of food assistance, the Food Bank can help. Call 1-210-337-3663 or click here.