Methodist Healthcare Ministries Donates $140,000 to Victoria Nonprofits to Support Community Disaster Relief Efforts

San Antonio, TX (March 23, 2021) - 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 donated $140,000 in emergency funding to two Victoria nonprofits. The Food Bank of the Golden Crescent is receiving a $100,000 donation and the Christ's Kitchen is receiving $40,000. These funds will support their response and recovery efforts stemming from winter storms that left thousands without power, water and food locally and across the state.

The funds allocated to Victoria are part of a $4.5 million dollar investment Methodist Healthcare Ministries has made to help South Texas recover from the aftermath of the winter storms. To date, over $2.3 million has been donated to organizations across Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ 74-county service area.. “The winter storm reminds us that when adversity strikes, there are partners we can consistently call on to respond and provide needed comfort and resources to those in need,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “On behalf of our entire team and the board of directors at Methodist Healthcare Ministries, I’d like to thank the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent, Christ Kitchen and community leaders like Pastor Wade of Victoria First United Methodist Church and their entire team of staff and volunteers who have worked so diligently to answer the call for help by so many throughout South Texas.”

Robin Cadle, President and CEO of the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent said, “The generosity of Methodist Healthcare Ministries allows the food bank to stay nimble and be there for our neighbors in their moment of need— whether they are asking for help for the first time in their lives, or struggling with perpetual food insecurity that made it difficult to fill their plates even before the Pandemic or Winter Storm events hit. Everyone deserves to have enough to eat and we are so grateful for the partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries in our mission of ‘helping heal the hurt of hunger.’”

The impact of the winter storm was felt directly by the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent and Christ’s Kitchen. The need for food assistance was already high as the region was still dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, however the winter storm added unexpected financial strain on residents across the region as they suddenly faced higher than usual utility bills and repair costs for damage caused by the storm. The food bank’s food distribution increased from 2.9 million pounds in 2012 to nearly 8.8 million pounds in 2020, representing a 195% increase in need. Christ’s Kitchen is one of the few places in town where the less fortunate can come find a free, hot meal and they are serving 600-800 people per day.

“On behalf of First United Methodist Church, I am so appreciative of the partnership we have with Methodist Healthcare Ministries. The healthcare programs that we have been able to develop have been lifesaving in this community, and the support we get from Methodist Healthcare Ministries and the Wesley Nurse program is vital to our mission to “be the church,” said Wade Powell, Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church. “Methodist Healthcare Ministries understands the connection between health and faith. We are partners in physical and spiritual health, and I love the fact that Methodist Healthcare Ministries is helping support our Food Bank and Christ’s Kitchen, because good nutrition is so important to overall good health. When Jesus calls on us to help feed the hungry, heal the sick, care for the oppressed; I’m glad that First United Methodist Church has a partnership like Methodist Healthcare Ministries to lean on. They are a blessing, not only to our church, but to the entire community.”

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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