SAN ANTONIO — A little over a year ago, Mary Helen Olivarez was waiting in line for food at the San Antonio Food Bank when she saw the organization was low on volunteers. She left the line and joined to help the volunteers who were serving her neighbors. Hear why she says it’s so important to donate especially during the summer months.
“The San Antonio Food Bank is a blessing to us,” Mary Helen said.
For volunteers like Mary Helen Olivarez, feeding hope helps us all.
“Senior citizens, it’s very important that we get our nutrition,” she said.
Supporting her is her husband Luis.
“I actually drive her,” he said. “I was actually on a liver transplant list. With some medication and proper nutrition, I have been able to actually get off of the transplant list.”
When you decide to donate, you’re not only helping those in tough times, you’re helping those who may not be able to help themselves.
“A lot of the senior citizens in our area, they cannot be cooking, they cannot use the stove," Mary Helen said. "They can barely walk around their apartment.”
For those whose mobility is limited, non-perishables gives them the freedom to thrive.
“Once you get diabetes, you have to stay on medication,” she said. “Since I started with the food bank, because of all the nutritional produce that I’ve received. My A1C has gone down to a 5.6.”
Donations to the San Antonio Food Bank is food for the soul.
“If it weren’t for the food bank, we would be faced with a choice of, ‘Do we eat, or do we afford our medications,’" Luis said.
To learn how you can help couples like the Olivarez’s and other families, whether that be giving help or getting help, visit safoodbank.org/summermeals.
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