The cars, pickup trucks and minivans began lining up about 9 a.m. on Monday, and the line stretched down Methodist Encampment Road.
They were there for the final drive-thru mass food distribution of 2021 — the 12th such offering between Kerr County food banks and the San Antonio Food Bank. After nearly two years of the pandemic, it's clear that food security remains a struggle for more than 200 families in Kerr County.
Cars lined up along Methodist Encampment Road in Kerrville on Dec. 27 to receive food from the San Antonio Food Bank. |
With the aid of volunteers from Kerrville Methodist churches, the Civil Air Patrol, Doyle School Community Center, the city of Kerrville and St. Vincent DePaul, the Light on the Hill food distribution was another huge draw.
"Going into the summer of 2020, we would see about 400 families," said Beth Palmer, the executive director of Mustard Seed Ministries, one of four local food banks that partner with San Antonio Food Bank for monthly mega distributions. "What we are seeing is people going back to work, things are opening up, and the need is less."
Mustard Seed Ministries' Beth Palmer chats with people receiving food on Dec. 27. |
Working with Christian Assistance Ministries, St. Vincent DePaul and Doyle School Community Center, Mustard Seed Ministries has helped distribute hundreds of tons of food since the pandemic began in March of 2020.
On Monday, there were plenty of things to savor for those who received donations, like 5 pounds of carrots, onion and celery. Pretty good start for a vegetable soup. One of those distributing food was 14-year-old Taylor Jones, who saw the opportunity to volunteer and signed up as part of his Civil Air Patrol Unit.
"It's been real good," Jones said of the work he put in on Monday morning.
Volunteers load food into the back of a truck at Light on the Hill in Kerrville on Dec. 27. |
There were peanut butter and canned salmon cases — not together because that would be strange.
Volunteers from the city of Kerrville were busy handing out an astounding number of fresh pineapples. Palmer's five-year-old granddaughter, Hayden, was busy handing out boxes of cereal and bread.
Beth Palmer's granddaughter, Hayden, 5, signals that a car has a 2 in the windshield — meaning they're helping someone else receive food. |
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Volunteers fanned out to distribute food to more than 20 people and families across Kerr County for those who could not attend.
Many of those who attended brought a neighbor or family member with them.
"It's really cool how neighbors help neighbors," Palmer said.
And that neighborliness is expected to continue into 2022, Palmer said. The need is still present.
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