When a parking lot becomes a lifeline

Every second Saturday of the month, volunteers at Sacred Heart Catholic Church turn a quiet parking lot into a bustling food distribution. Not long after sunrise, church members and volunteers arrive carrying boxes, canned goods, and other grocery items into the fellowship hallway where tables are lined up assembly-line style to pack food boxes for families in need. 

By mid-morning, dozens of neatly packed boxes are carried to the parking lot for distribution. Individuals and families drive up to the church to receive their box of groceries, but for seniors, people with disabilities, and neighbors lacking transportation, teams of volunteers drive out and personally deliver the groceries. 

The home visits provide more than just nourishment for hungry families. They offer companionship for those who feel isolated and hope for those facing hard times.  

"A lot of them are very, very grateful for our assistance," said Anna Valdez, a volunteer delivering food boxes throughout the community. "We help everyone in the community that needs help."

Fernando Lopez, another volunteer, said, "A lot of these families have been here for a long time. They have known me since I was a kid, so it's great to have that connection with them. Seeing them on a regular basis brings smiles to everybody's faces. We pray for them, they pray for us."