More than 1200 families receive food provided by El Pasoans Fighting Hunger every other Wednesday at St. Luke Catholic Church in Westside El Paso.
El Pasoans Fighting Hunger serves as the distribution hub for more than 132 partner agencies and programs, including pantries, schools, soup kitchens, shelters, and churches like St. Luke. The St. Luke Catholic Church in west El Paso has been working with the food bank since 2017.
Every other Wednesday, cars begin to line up across the church’s large parking lot at 5:00 am. The El Pasoans Fighting Hunger trailers arrive at 6:00 am and an army of volunteers, not all of them Catholic, immediately start to unload.
Jose Antonio “Tony” Mireles and Sherry Rios, President and Vice President of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in the Diocese of El Paso, respectively, oversee the operation that helps approximately 2,000 individuals every other week. Sherry and Tony work in collaboration with 45 volunteers and follow CDC guidelines. They check temperatures, provide masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer.
Sherry and Tony are eager to organize the bi-weekly Wednesday “mega food pantry” during these difficult times because it’s their calling as St. Vincent de Paul Society volunteers to provide basic human services and programs to prevent hunger and homelessness and a way to live a Stewardship life.
The volunteer group developed an incredibly efficient way to distribute food. They work as a well-oiled machine and united team. Everyone who helps out on any given Wednesday, including teenagers from neighboring high schools, says the experience is powerful and puts things in perspective.
Food distribution at St. Luke Catholic Church begins every other Wednesday at 9:00 am. Once a month, the St. Luke mega food pantry provides dog and cat food as well. St. Luke Catholic Church is located at 930 E. Redd Road. If you would like to volunteer for St. Luke food distribution or make a monetary donation, please call the church’s main office at 915-585-0255 or visit their website.
As an event coordinator, I admire and applaud the organizers knowing just how much pressure one may feel to organize such an impactful event not just once a year, but every other week, every single month. That is truly incredible and inspiring.
There are several other El Pasoan’s fighting hunger locations that need volunteers all the time. Every volunteer experience is a little different. Some activities include sorting and packing food, gardening, or educating the community. Each experience is critical in helping get healthy meals to families facing hunger.
Food Bank Processing Warehouse
Millions of meals are distributed through our Partner Agencies and feeding programs thanks to our distribution center volunteers!
Virtual Volunteering
Become an EPFH Advocate!
Car Packing Helpers
The Emergency Home Delivery Service was started in early 2020 in an effort to combat COVID-19 for those 60 years old or older, disabled, or quarantining after a positive test from COVID-19.
After Hours Food Bank Distribution
At the facility in South East El Paso, serve by assembling food boxes, filling carts, and or processing donated food.
Hunger isn’t the only challenge El Pasoan’s face. On this #GivingTuesday, we encourage you and your family to join the global generosity movement and do something good today! Below is a list of other organizations that need your help.
