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RGV food bank in dire need of rice, beans, and cash donations
Residents of Raymondville and Willacy County came together for a community fund-raiser on Saturday to raise funds to help feed the hungry in Willacy County. A dozen groups helped promote and staff the $5/plate BBQ chicken plate fundraiser on Saturday at the American Legion Post 390 parking lot that served around 600 plates, and raised about $3,000, according to Elma Chavez, who was one of the organizers, and is the city's chamber of commerce director. The "Fill the Pantry" campaign was organized by the Raymondville Chamber of Commerce, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, and the First United Methodist Church. Terri Drefke, the executive director of Food Bank RGV reported that the cost of food have doubled in the past few months. "Vegetables, grains, and even beef prices have doubled, and there is no end in sight," Drefke said. "The price of crude oil, ethanol (food for fuel), and transportation costs are some of the factors." "There is also an international crisis for rice," Drefke said. "We've also been concerned about the passage of the farm bill," likely referring to President George W. Bush's announced and impending veto of the bill. "What we really need today and tomorrow are rice and bean donations, along with cash donations," Drefke said. "For every dollar we get we can feed seven people." Rio Grande Valley food bank personnel, city officials, Our Lady of Guadalupe volunteers, and Willacy County EMS officials were present for a $1,000 donation ceremony by Dr. Tara Rios Ybarra, the Democratic Party nominee for District 43 state representative. Dr. Rios-Ybarra was inspired by the "one-dollar serves a meal to seven people" statistic by the food bank. "When I walked through Willacy County during the primary, I saw that people needed food," said Rios- Ybarra. "The advocates here have convinced me to give 100 percent to Willacy County." Rios Ybarra was referring to City Commissioner Mary Gutierrez, Chavez, EMS director Frank Torres, and EDC director Jackie Roberson who all convinced her on Monday that Willacy County's needy are in dire need of food. Many volunteers helped which included; the American Legion Post 390, Evening Lion's Club, Noon Lion's Club, First United Methodist Church, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church Widow's Might, RISD Interact Club, RISD Leo Club, Rotary Club of Raymondville, Seventh Day Adventist, Su Clinica Familiar, Willacy County EMS & Willacy County Fire Department, 21st Century After School Program, and Pittman Elementary School The above list of volunteers assisted by cooking and serving the meal, selling tickets, and the children of the Pittman 21st Century After School program crafted posters to publicize the event. Generous donations were also made possible by, The Boot Co., H-E-B, McDonald's, Raymondville Christian Center, Roy Zaller, Whataburger, and Wal-Mart. The fund-raiser will aid in replenishing food and staples in the four local food pantries in Willacy County including Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, First United Methodist Church, Seventh Day Adventist, and the Sebastian Food Pantry. All monies raised will be sent to the Food Bank RGV, which will earmark funds for the use of the local four pantries. Those needing food assistance in Willacy County should call Food Bank RGV at 956-682-8101. In Kenedy County, the food pantry is being temporarily moved to the Lopez Building from the Mercantile Building, while the courthouse is being renovated over the next 12 months. The food pantry in Sarita will move back to the Mercantile Building after the construction is finished, according to County Judge Pro-tem Anne Armstrong. "We have the freezers in the Lopez Building right now," Armstrong said. "Corpus Christi does need to inspect the temporary location, which we expect to happen in next few days," referring to the Food Bank of Corpus Christi. Those needing food assistance in Kenedy County should call Susie Gonzalez at 361-294-5202.
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