A Double Ribbon Cutting

By Debra Badeaux

On April 13th the Community of Christ and the Los Fresnos Food Pantry were welcomed into the Los Fresnos Community with a ribbon cutting. Los Fresnos Chamber Business and City leaders celebrated with the Ministry. The ministry provided tours of their beautiful newly built facility and the Los Fresnos Community Food Pantry building. The Community of Christ and Food Pantry were once the structure that stood where the Stripes convenient store now stands.

Community of Christ is located at 810 W. Ocean Blvd. at the end of the Ashtree plaza. The Ministry is under the direction of Pastor Darcy Boles. Community of Christ proclaims Jesus Christ and promotes communities of joy, hope, love and peace. The Ministry was developed by a few Los Fresnos families in the 1970’s. The group first congregated in buildings such as the small old Boy’s and Girl’s club, then in the Lion’s Club and in the VFW Hall. In 1976 the ministry purchased the building known as the “Little Blue Church”.

While touring the food pantry it was explained that parts of the old facility were recycled and used in the new food pantry. The recycled items included the doors of the previous ministry, cabinets and wood trim. The food pantry is under the direction of Patricia Rodriguez and works with the outreach-international program. The outreach-international Latin field Director is Valentin Leal. The Food Pantry Vision is, “A World Without Poverty”. Ms. Rodriguez brought to mind that when the food pantry first originated in Los Fresnos it provided aid from 40 to 50 families. Today the food pantry supports over 400 families, amounting to 1,280 people. As the food pantry found itself in danger of having to close its doors, beneficiaries found an answer to retaining the program. Today it is the recipients that handle both the ordering and distribution.

Those touring and being RGV food bank donors questioned Mr. Leal, as to If the Los Fresnos Food Pantry received monies from the RGV food bank? He advised us it was better to give to the local Los Fresnos food pantry since the food facility had to turn to the RGV food bank and pay for staple foods such as rice and beans. The food pantry receives much of its produce from many local farmers. The program works on additional projects such as The Woman’s Health Group, Recipe Sharing, Women’s Exercise Group, Home Garden Project and The Community Garden. If you are in need of food pantry assistance or would like more information you can visit www.outreach-international.org

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