As I write this week's blog, I'm packing my bags, baking an apple pie and some brownie bars, and looking forward to spending time at our family's ranch in Hamilton. Most of you are also going through the motions and preparations for Thanksgiving Day. Hopefully you've avoided those LONG lines at the grocery store, bought your turkey early and are now dreaming about indulging on pumpkin pie and a lot of couch time. That alone is a lot to be thankful for as we gather around our dinner tables on Thanksgiving Day. Others in our community might not have that perfect feast we have envisioned in our heads. Families throughout San Antonio might not have the opportunity to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast at all.
On November 4, some of our Junior League of San Antonio members volunteered at the San Antonio Food Bank to prepare Thanksgiving meal packages for the less fortunate. The Junior League has partnered with The San Antonio Food Bank for years and if you haven't had a chance to volunteer at this San Antonio non-profit organization you need to put it on your "to do" list.
*The San Antonio Food Bank is currently providing emergency food assistance to more than 58,000 individuals each week.
*17.9 percent of Texans lived under the poverty level in 2010.
*16.3 percent of the San Antonio Food Banks service area population are food insecure- meaning they don't know where their next meal will come from.
*29.2 percent of children in Bexar Country are food insecure
(that's 1 in 3 children)
*46 percent of households the Food Bank serves have at least one working adult in the family*36 percent of their clients are children
*14 percent of their clients are seniors
*If you donate just $1, the Food Bank can turn that donation into 7 meals, 10 pounds of food or $13 worth of grocery product.
*Volunteers are always needed to sort food in the warehouse, work in the garden, and help prepare meals in their kitchen.
Veronica encourages us all to organize a food drive at our workplaces, schools, churches, or in our neighborhood.
As you are enjoying this year's turkey feast and fighting over who gets the lucky drumstick, be thankful we have great organizations in our community such as San Antonio Food Bank and the Junior League of San Antonio. The holidays are upon us and if you are looking for a way to spread your thankfulness this year think about donating time or food to our local food bank.
Happy Thanksgiving to ALL!
Very inspiring!!
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