Local church teams up with Food Bank of the RGV

Updated: April 30, 2020

A truck with the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley drops off donations at the Centro Internacional de Alabanza Church in La Feria. The local church has been a distribution site for the Food Bank for the past few years, but has recently increased its distribution days due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photos: Nelda Briones / LFN

By NELDA BRIONES
LFN

LA FERIA – The Food Bank of the RGV has been very busy during this pandemic. They have set up distributions all over the Valley, including right here in town.

The Food Bank has been distributing items on Tuesdays and Thursdays at their Pharr facility, which is located at the old Valley Fruit Company packing plant at 724 N. Cage Blvd. They have even set aside senior citizen distribution days to assist the elderly, which are especially vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus.

Here in La Feria, the Centro Internacional de Alabanza Church at 116 W. 7th Street has been distributing food from the Food Bank for the past two years.

Norma Fuentes, director of the church’s Mercy Food Pantry, said that the distribution has increased from once a week to up to three days a week due to the recent crisis. She added that there are no set days for when the distributions take place, so those interested in receiving food should check out the church’s Facebook page for exact times.

“Donations are available to anyone in the Valley and no ID is needed during this crisis,” Fuentes said. “You must stay in your vehicle and must be wearing a mask.” She also added that people please do not line up on Main Street.

Volunteers with the Centro Internacional Alabanza Church in La Feria stand in front of a supply of food donations from the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley. The church has been distributing food up to three days a week during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fuentes thanked and praised all the volunteers, which are church members, that have taken the time to help put together and help distribute the food. She mentioned that all church volunteers continue to give their best to serve our community and those in need during this crisis.

The Food Bank of the RGV also has an emergency pantry available, but this distribution is only for those that are in need of emergency assistance and may only be used once within a 30-day period.

The Bank is constantly accepting donations, especially during this pandemic where the volume of need has increased since many people have lost their jobs.

For more information about the Food Bank of the RGV, visit its Facebook page or its website at www.foodbankrgv.com.

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