SAN ANGELO, TX – 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 $212,500 in emergency funding to three San Angelo nonprofits to support their response and recovery efforts stemming from winter storms that left thousands without power, water and food locally and across the state.
The Concho Valley Regional Food Bank is receiving a $100,000 donation, the Grape Creek United Methodist Church is receiving $12,500, and the San Angelo Area Foundation is receiving $100,000.
The funds allocated to the San Angelo area are part of the over $2.3 million donated to organizations across Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ 74-county service area who are helping those impacted the most.
“The winter storm that impacted millions of Texans reminded 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 Concho Valley Regional Food Bank, the San Angelo Area Foundation, and Grape Creek United Methodist Church along with their entire team of staff and volunteers who have worked so diligently over the past several weeks to answer the call for help by so many throughout the Concho Valley.”
The impact of the winter storm was felt directly by the Concho Valley Regional Food Bank and Grape Creek United Methodist Church’s Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry. 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 San Angelo Area Foundation operates a number of disaster relief funds that it uses to help the community when responding to critical needs. The funds from Methodist Healthcare Ministries will help support those efforts and ensure the community has the resources available to respond this and future crisis.
“We appreciate the partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries for realizing the long-term effects of not only COVID-19, the recent municipal water restrictions, and winter storm Uri has had on those that are in need here in the Concho Valley,” said Lee Pipkin, Executive Director of the Concho Valley Regional Food Bank. “These three events effected those who may be suffering from other health concerns and when you throw three major events in a row on folks who are in need, it digs a hole that’s hard to dig out of without help like what we are able to provide along with great partners like Methodist Healthcare Ministries. By acknowledging that overall health is dependent on good nutrition, the long term return on investment is huge for those in need as well as the health care industry. Many thanks go out to our local Wesley Nurses for helping to keep the overall health of the Concho Valley in front of funders like Methodist Healthcare Ministries.”The check was presented to the three non-profits Tuesday morning at the Concho Valley Regional Food Bank. Lesa Parry a Wesley Nurse, Karen Green a Wesley Nurse, Charlotte Johnson a Welsey Nurse and Heron Milan a Community Health Worker presented the checks to Lee Pipkin Executive Director of the Concho Valley Regional Food Bank, Matt Lewis President and CEO of the San Angelo Area Foundation and Clifford Long a Pastor for the Grape Creek United Methodist Church.
