Methodist Healthcare Ministries Awards $199,000 to Fight Food Insecurity as part of Ongoing COVID-19 Relief Efforts
Food Banks and Nonprofit Organizations in Five Texas Counties Receive Funding
San Antonio, TX (December 23, 2020) - Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. – a private, faith-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating access to health care for low-income families and the uninsured—has awarded $199,000 in emergency grant funding support to eight nonprofit agencies in five targeted South Texas counties to support their COVID-19 response and recovery efforts focused on increasing access to food for hard hit communities.
This award brings the total amount Methodist Healthcare Ministries has invested in response to COVID-19 to nearly $4 million for the year 2020. The funding has gone to more than 100 organizations across its 74-county service area to help respond to basic needs in urban and rural communities throughout South Texas, in support of their recovery efforts.
“Methodist Healthcare Ministries recognizes that these communities have been especially hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and we remain committed to helping support resilient families through these challenging times,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “This additional investment will help ensure that partner organizations can continue to support communities with the tools and resources needed to survive.”
The five counties receiving the assistance have the highest rates of unemployment as of September 2020. They include: Starr County (18.5% unemployment), Zavala County (17%), Maverick County (16.5%), Jim Wells County (14.7%) and Duval County (14.3%). These counties are home to a large number of families that are food insecure, making the additional support very timely. The funding will cover food costs, as well as additional support resources such as refrigeration and equipment.
Below is a summary of the funding allocations:
- South Texas Food Bank $50,000
- For Starr & Maverick Counties
- San Antonio Food Bank $50,000
- For Zavala County
- Coastal Bend Food Bank $50,000
- For Jim Wells & Duvall County
- Casa de Esperanza $12,500
- For Starr County
- Home of Living Faith $20,000
- For Zavala County
- Mission Border Hope $16,500
- For Maverick County
Eric Cooper, President & CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank commented, “Wow! Thank you all so very much! Truly humbled, blessed, exhausted, inspired! Thank you for helping us fight hunger and feed hope!”
This funding opportunity is in addition to the $32 million granted this year to over 90 agencies across South Texas which supports access to care, integrated delivery systems, patient-centered health models and other programs and services aimed at addressing the Social Determinants of Health that disproportionately impact the least served.”
Methodist Healthcare Ministries remains committed to provide safe, affordable health care to San Antonio’s low-income population through virtual medical and behavioral health care—including food and other emergency assistance during this pandemic. The organization also still offers services to its Parenting Program clients via Zoom classes, as well as virtual recreation & enrichment program offerings to patients and clients looking for ways to stay active and healthy in these times where social distancing prevents in person services. Additionally, regional staff, including Wesley Nurses and community-based counseling staff continues to provide services throughout the 74-county service area.
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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is a private, faith-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating access to health care for the uninsured through direct services, community partnerships and strategic grant-making in 74 counties across South Texas. Guided by its mission of "Serving Humanity to Honor God," Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ vision is to be the leader for improving wellness of the least served. The mission also includes Methodist Healthcare Ministries' one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest healthcare system in South Texas, which creates a unique avenue to ensure that it continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. For more information, visit www.mhm.org.