SAN ANGELO, Texas — Hundreds of vehicles lined up along the side of the St. Paul Presbyterian Church for the food and blanket distribution Saturday morning.
According to Sarah Eckel, housing and development director for Concho Valley Community Action Agency, the organization partnered with St. Paul Presbyterian Church and TXU Energy to provide blankets in addition to food to the community.
“This is our Christmas bonus. Giving someone a little warmth, some comfort and joy during this holiday season and as you can see there is a lot of need out there,” said Eckel
The food distribution is open to the entire community and anyone who needs it can receive it, according to Eckel.
St. Paul Presbyterian Church distributes food from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. every Saturday, with some exceptions.
“What we are doing right now, we do every week, except for the week after Christmas and Thanksgiving.” Dr. Timothy Davenport-Herpst, the pastor of St. Paul Presbyterian Church, said.
The food distribution usually serves approximately more than 300 families and approximately more than 1,000 individuals, according to Davenport-Herpst.
Lee Bryant is currently not working, and this was his first time attending a food distribution.
“I think this is great. It is going to be beneficial to me that’s for sure and my grandkids,” Bryant said.
There is no limit to the number of times families or individuals can receive food and no documentation is required, however, some information is collected.
“It is open to the entire community, anyone who judges themselves needing this can show up,” Davenport-Herpst said. “We’ll take down the information we are required to, but you don’t have to produce documentation to prove it.”
Spanish speakers are available for residents who do not speak English.
“People come through all the time, so we wanted to make sure to give them a little extra this Christmas,” Eckel said.
TXU Energy donated the blankets as part of the partnership.
For more information on the Concho Valley Community Action Agency and its programs, visit cvcaa.org.
