Methodist Healthcare Ministries Donates $460,000 to Nonprofits in the Coastal Bend to Support Community Disaster Relief Efforts

San Antonio, TX (April 28, 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 $463,500 in emergency funding to six nonprofits in the Coastal Bend to support their response and recovery efforts stemming from winter storms that left thousands without power, water and food locally and across South Texas. The organizations receiving funding are the Coastal Bend Food Bank ($250,000), The Coastal Bend Community Foundation ($100,000) Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group ($75,000), Mission 911 ($75,000), St. Luke’s United Methodist Church ($5,000) and Grace United Methodist Church ($3,500).

The funds allocated to these organizations are part of the over $3.2 million donated to nonprofits across Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ 74-county service area who are helping those impacted the most. “The winter storm that impacted millions of Texans hit some South Texas communities especially hard and months later, organizations are still doing incredible work supporting those who were impacted the most,” said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “In times like these, we know it’s important to support great partners like these organizations, who always respond and provide the needed comfort and resources to those in need. On behalf of our entire team and the board of directors at Methodist Healthcare Ministries, I’d like to thank these key partners, their staff and volunteers, who have worked so diligently over the past several weeks to answer the call for help by so many throughout South Texas.”

Each organization has been responding to the increased need for support in the community that was compounded by the effects of the winter storm. The Coastal Bend Food Bank has been serving 63,022 individuals a month since the winter storm, which translates to an increase of 26.3% over January 2021. Executive Director Bea Hanson said, “We are so grateful to Methodist Healthcare Ministries for their generous donation of $250,000 which translates to 1,000,000 meals for families in need.”

The Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group has been helping survivors of the Winter Storm who received damages as the result of the storm, include plumbing/pipe damage as a result of the freezing weather, interior work associated with the access to plumbing pipes and more. Christopher Brandt, Executive Director of the Coastal Bend Disaster Recovery Group added “The Grant from Methodist Healthcare Ministries came at perfect timing. We had a group of volunteer plumbers come to the Coastal Bend and with the MHM funding we were able to purchase materials for the plumbers. CBDRG was able to fix and or restore water to the homes of 67 homes to date. “

The Coastal Bend Community Foundation was able to leverage the donation by Methodist Healthcare Ministries to secure matching funding from other area funders, enabling them to provide grant funding to area non-profits both suffering physical damage, as well as assisting low-income populations suffering storm damage. Karen Selim, President & CEO of the Coastal Bend Community Foundation, said “Coastal Bend Community Foundation is honored to partner with Methodist Healthcare Ministries to award winter storm grants to area non-profits both suffering physical damage, as well as assisting low-income populations suffering storm damage. The Ed Rachal Foundation provided a 50% match to MHM’s grant, and all $150,000 is being awarded to 25 area charities. This truly speaks to the power of community and working together to improve lives.”

“Grace United Methodist Church and the Amazing Grace Food Pantry are extremely thankful for the $3,500 donation received from United Healthcare Ministries for Winter Storm Relief,” said Pam Fordtrain, Pantry Director at Amazing Grace Food Pantry. “This will enable us to provide additional food, transportation, utility and minor household repair assistance for residents affected by the Winter Storm.”

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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