Feeding the needy in southern Texas: St. George Food Pantry Emergency Appeal
Saint George Food Pantry here began in 2003 in response to the great poverty and immediate need found within the local community of Pharr, TX.
Located just miles from the US/Mexican border, the pantry has fed over 53,000 people, including more than 26,000 children as well as numerous elderly and handicapped persons, since it began.
The pantry is sponsored by Saint George Church, a parish in the Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of the South that boasts a diverse population which has consistently served its neighbors since its establishment in 1979. While the parish is small, financially challenged and without other parishes in the region with which to partner in this important work, the pantry, under the leadership of Father Antonio Perdomo, has been able to keep afloat financially for the past eight and a half years through grant sources, individual contributions, and donations from other parishes in the diocese.
According to Matushka Elizabeth Perdomo, “as of August 1, 2012, Saint George Food Pantry’s funding balance includes less money than it takes to run the program for a single month.”
Matushka Elizabeth notes that this is due to several factors.
“First of all, individual contributions have fallen off in recent years, due to the challenging economy,” she said. “Second, for various reasons, several consistent grant sources did not come through for 2012.”
The pantry receives most of its food from the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, Matushka Elizabeth explained.
“The program’s per person cost is only $1.25,” she said. “Several other food pantries in the local community have either scaled down service or closed their doors entirely in recent times. If emergency funds are not quickly raised, Saint George Food Pantry must either drastically reduce services or close down until additional funds can be found. With available funds alone, we can open one time in August—after that, unless a funding infusion come in, the program must temporarily close to participants. This would be a great loss to the local community, as well as to the parish’s outreach ministries.
“Please consider helping Saint George Food Pantry as an individual, family, business or parish,” Matushka Elizabeth added. “All donations are tax deductable. Many heartfelt thanks from Saint George Church and its numerous food pantry recipients!”
Donations may be sent to Saint George Food Pantry, c/o Saint George Church, PO Box 667, Pharr, TX 78577, or may be made on-line via PayPal at the “Make a Donation” link on the bottom of their web site.