CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Marilena Garza is a familiar face out where she distributes food and water to individuals experiencing homelessness. The people who congregate have come to know and trust her — because she was once in their shoes.
"No, I wasn't living under a bridge for a long period of time, but I did not know where I was going to live," Garza said. "And one of those reasons among a bunch of reasons, but one of them was that I was queer, I was gay, and my parents just didn't know how to accept that. And that caused me to have to leave my home."
Garza says this happens all too often in the LGBTQ community.
"Too often," she said. "I have several people that are transgender, queer, and they're out here because of that, they don't feel comfortable seeking help from most traditional spaces."
Garza, has come along way since then to get back on her feet. She's a licensed massage therapist and the CEO founder of The Free Store which is her way of providing basic necessities to those on the streets living in poverty.
Her mission to give back began when she was downtown and saw someone barefoot.
"I saw people without shoes, and it just bothered me, it really invoked that memory of wandering around town with no shoes," she said.
Now Garza holds monthly picnics for the homeless community, as well as drops with food, water and other necessities ahead of severe weather events.
"We don't just offer shoes now, we offer everything. Clothing, food, medical supplies, bike repair, haircuts and we also collaborate with other great nonprofits," she said
Garza said the most important thing her organization hands out is kindness.
Bill Hoelscher CEO of the Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation said over the last several years the organization has started focus work on the LGBTQ community, and came across homeless youth who simply don't have the safe harbor or resources.
"What is so horrible and tragic, are the people that are supposed to love you no matter what, regardless of who you are, are the ones who are causing you the most pain and terror in your life," Hoelscher said.
Garza, who now has a brick and mortar for The Free Store, says they have helped more than 4,000 people to date and that impact is still growing. She said her hope is that people will find "understanding" in their hearts. Because we are all one disaster away from being in the same situation — including those who are turned away for choosing to be themselves.
"So, understand that this isn't a choice," she said. "And I also understand that it's hard to accept that I might be different than you, but we're all different and that's what makes it beautiful. Our city is beautiful and diverse, but we need that inclusivity. And that's what we're missing."