Harlingen food pantry cannot put price tag on fighting hunger

HARLINGEN—In a city where the poverty level rises above the state average, volunteers work to feed their neighbors.

Juanita Garcia and her husband started Paradise Food Pantry at Avondale Baptist Church in Harlingen two years ago. She saw hunger in her community and wanted to help.

“This is how God has used me,” she said.

Volunteers give out boxes with food items, detergent and other necessities. Every box contains a list with the church itinerary and the pastor’s contact information if recipients want to talk to someone.

About 12 church members volunteer on the first and third Tuesday of the month to distribute food, and about 40 to 60 families receive food, Garcia said.

“If one person gets saved, we’ve done a lot,” she said.

Garcia prays the pantry will remain open, despite money issues. The church hosts garage sales so money does not come from the church budget. The ministry relies on these funds and other donations to fund the supplies.

“It’s a blessing for everyone—church members, the community,” she said.

Baptists throughout the state help to support the food pantry through their gifts to the Texas Baptist Offering for World Hunger.

Rose Serna Jr., Avondale Baptist Church member and volunteer, enjoys “every minute of it”—from packing the boxes to seeing the effect of this ministry in others’ lives.

“We’re here to help. We’re here to offer a hand,” Serna said through tears. “It’s been a blessing to me.”

Even though the pantry struggles to make ends meet financially, Serna said, “We haven’t lost our faith.” She enjoys helping her community.
“It was the answer to my prayer,” she said. “It’s only because of him that we exist.”

Juanita Garcia, who started Paradise Food Pantry, sees the pantry bless volunteers and the community with its ministry.

Roberto Reyes, pastor of Avondale Baptist Church—which averages 60 members—said the pantry will stay open as long as possible. Reyes, who worked as a correctional officer 20 years before becoming a pastor, sees this ministry as more than giving out food.

“We have the opportunity to help them out spiritually. We can pray with them if they ask,” he said.

Diana Ortega, member of Avondale Baptist Church since she was 12 years old, volunteers at the pantry and takes the produce and other items to people in the neighborhood.

“We want them to enjoy it,” Ortega said. “It’s a blessing to them.”

About three families who receive food from the pantry have joined the church.

“We’ve seen so many come through this door…asking for prayers,” she said. “They start crying because they have big needs.”