By ARABELLA SERRATA
Special to the PARADE
The holiday season is filled with many opportunities for family and friends to bond over good food and create lasting memories. During these times, there are resources to ensure that everyone, regardless of finances, can enjoy holiday staples. The annual Feast of Sharing and resources like food pantries help those who may need it.
The Feast of Sharing, slated for Nov. 13, is an annual tradition sponsored by grocery store chain HEB. The event strives to encourage the holiday spirit and community. It gives away a free meal packed to the brim
with Thanksgiving food and delivers performances from local talent within the school’s student body.
Port Isabel Early College High School has the size and facilities to support such a large dining experience, according to the Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent, Gogie Gonzalez.
According to Gonzalez, the school saw about 1,200 guests last year and hopes to see even more people in the coming weeks. The district’s choir groups, cheerleaders, band and mariachi perform for the public’s
enjoyment.
“We all come together to enjoy a good meal, each other and give thanks,” said Gonzalez.
HEB, a prominent grocery store in the Rio Grande Valley area, donates food to the event as part of its Hunger Relief program. According to its official website, the franchise has donated over four million meals
throughout the years.
Resources are available locally and in nearby locations for those who need them. First Saint Stephen’s Society of the United Methodist Church offers a food pantry every Thursday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. For more
information, contact them at (956) 943-2485. They are located at 101 West Adams Street, Port Isabel Texas.
Students of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley [UTRGV] are eligible to fill out a grocery request. They can then pick food from the school’s selection. The Brownsville and Edinburg locations vary in resources. Pick up time for both campuses is Wednesday and Friday from 1-4 p.m. For more information, call the Brownsville location at (956) 882-7126 and the Edinburg location at (956) 665-3663. To donate to the
school, interested parties can find the list of highly demanded foods on the official UTRGV websites. Monetary donations are also welcomed. They can be directed to any of the university’s funds.
There are websites dedicated to finding resources for those in need. Websites like findhelp.org, ampleharvest.org and feedingamerica.org can be used to scope out possible assistance for food and other necessities.
Comments