Photo By Sgt. Maxwell Bass | Master Sgt. Ryan Joseph, a student at the Sergeants Majors Academy on Fort Bliss,...... read more read more
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The Armed Forces Young Men’s Christian Association has partnered up with the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Association to create a food drive to distribute food for those in need in El Paso.
For the past two years, the food drive has passed out over 3,000 pounds of food every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Armed Forces YMCA.
According to a study done by the University of Texas at El Paso, food insecurity has increased in El Paso because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This food distribution center is a direct response to help feed those who might be in need of assistance. The food drive originated during the pandemic to help the community suffering from the effects of the outbreak. Since then, the food drive has remained a staple to the community where families know they can go for help.
“Every Wednesday we provide food to around 150 to 200 plus families,” said George Elsaesser, the Armed Forces YMCA executive director. “We go up there with a smile and talk to them and without saying it, reassure them that hey, this is life – sometimes you struggle – and there's people like us to help you out.”
The Armed Forces YMCA mostly relies on volunteers to help pass out the food. They gather their volunteers from different places, such as Soldiers stationed on Fort Bliss, connections with non-military organizations, and residents who stay at the YMCA.
Spc. Julio Guadamuz, a military police officer with the 978th Military Police Company on Fort Bliss, has volunteered at the food drive several times, and says he’s grateful for an opportunity to help support the community.
“It’s a great feeling giving back, seeing people’s whole mood change, you can tell they're going through a rough time and they get this food and they’re very grateful,” said Guadamuz “I’m grateful to be in the position I am, to be able to give back to the community.”
The food for distribution comes from the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Association. A truck loaded with food arrives at the YMCA every Wednesday around 1:30 p.m. Volunteers then help unload the truck and organize the food onto separate tables. The food differs every week, but can consist of bread, vegetables, rice, canned goods and other perishable and non-perishable items.
Four to six tables are laid out where volunteers have organized the food. As the families drive through the line, volunteers put bags of food from each table into the trunks of the vehicles. Each family is only allowed one drive through every Wednesday.
“I have the opportunity to come and give back to the community and help out families in need,” said Guadamuz. “I can sympathize with them and I understand what they're going through, it's great to see them have a smile on their face when they get the food.”
| Date Taken: | 10.26.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.27.2022 18:59 |
| Story ID: | 432165 |
| Location: | EL PASO, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 33 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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