CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas —
Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi is doing what they can to serve others this holiday season. Their partnership with the Coastal Bend Food Bank allows them to buy essential food staples, produce and meat for anyone who needs extra help, regardless of their religious background.
With help from the food bank, special projects director, Kathy Pekar said that their food pantry is serving more people every year.
"Anybody who needs help in our community, we are willing and ready to serve,” Pekar said. "We've seen an increase of over 200 percent from the last year. We've seen an increase every year, but especially this past year. We're serving at least 100 people a day to help them meet their food insecurities."
Catholic Charities offer more than just their food pantry. Part of their emergency aid program also allows them to help others out with rent, utility and transportation assistance.
"We have so many other programs that we can help people with. We have counseling, our parents as teachers program, our ministry and life enrichment program for people with special abilities."
Jelayna Phillips has been coming to Catholic Charities since 2006. She says their food pantry is important, not just for her, but for her family.
"It feels very good when I come here," Phillips said through an ASL interpreter. "It helps me with food for my family because I have a hard time managing my money. "
Being deaf, Phillips is also part of Catholic Charities Ministry and Life Enrichment for Persons with Special Abilities group. It's something that she says means the world to her.
"They have helped me with crafts, fun times, camps. We enjoy the camps. We enjoy getting out in the community, socializing with friends. I love it," she said.
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