Food relief for Gulf Coast areas directly impacted by Hurricane Harvey and for evacuees seeking shelter in Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy counties in deep South Texas.
We have been responding to Hurricane Harvey since Aug. 26, by coordinating with Feeding America, Feeding Texas and local businesses like H-E-B to ensure safe, efficient and swift donation operations. Before the hurricane, we were already feeding 42,000 people on a weekly basis in our service area; in an area with nearly 36% of the population living at or below poverty. Our neighbors in the Gulf Coast need immediate help. Long term needs will need monetary support.
By Aug. 31st, we have already sent 6 trucks full of emergency food relief, distributing over 100,000 pounds of food, water and supplies to well over 3,000 individuals in the Corpus Christi, Port Aransas area. Our partners in the Rio Grande Valley are helping coordinate food, water and cleaning supply donations but the needs are long term. We can keep going up to the affected area for as long as possible. We are also feeding evacuees seeking shelter in the Rio Grande Valley.
Rebuilding the devastated communities of Corpus Christi, Victoria and over 30 smaller communities will be a long term task. We must ensure that they have access to clean water, safe food and other supplies while infrastructure is being repaired. Many residents have fled to our service area of Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy counties adding to the amount of clients we were already serving prior to the hurricane. With proper funding, we can meet the local needs while helping support recovery.
