In Nazareth, Texas, a significant initiative is underway. With the "Together We Can" food and fund drive commencing today, Ruben ventured to this town to uncover how the Holy Family Food Pantry is continuously making a remarkable difference in Castro County.

"Uniting for a Hunger-Free Castro County"

FFA Students' Contribution

The Nazareth FFA students came together with a purpose. They gathered to pack boxes for the Holy Family Food Pantry, seeing it as a way to actively contribute to the annual food and fund drive. As Michael Fulkerson, a junior Nazareth FFA student, shared, "We usually pack around close to almost 40 boxes every time we do this. This is usually an either and every other week or maybe a once a month type deal." The students had to skillfully navigate their schedules with different classes while still finding time to make a difference.Moreover, four other classes also joined in the effort. This collaborative spirit shows the power of community when it comes to addressing hunger.

The Need and Reach of the Food Pantry

Ronnie Hoelting, a Holy Family Food Pantry volunteer, shed light on the initial experience. "The first week that we started, we had five clients. We thought, 'What are we getting ourselves into?' But then word of mouth spread, and of course, the economy is up and down like it is. And these people truly need our help." The food pantry currently serves not only Castro County but also Dimmitt, Hart, and Nazareth. As Pierce Wilhelm, a sophomore Nazareth FFA student, emphasized, "With us doing this food pantry, it supports the whole county and even other counties around us. It really is just giving back to anyone who supports us."This shows the far-reaching impact of the pantry and how it becomes a lifeline for many.

The Importance and Learning for Students

Fulkerson further explained the significance. "It's good to give back to the community, at least as far as like us, younger people, like high schoolers or junior high. It's important because it gives us a chance to be active in our communities and to repay people that have helped us through paying for or supporting our athletics, our academics or other extracurriculars like FFA or Boy Scouts." He also pointed out that it provides an opportunity to learn how things are done and why they are done. "Because like these people here that use the food pantry, they need the support. And so this is one way to help that."Holeting added another perspective. "Well, if you're hungry, you're not going to learn a lot. You're not going to have any enthusiasm to try to learn it to get, keep yourself ahead." This highlights the direct connection between having basic needs met and a person's ability to thrive and learn.The Holy Family Food Pantry in Nazareth truly stands as a beacon of hope, showing how a community can come together to make a meaningful impact on those in need.