Catholic Charities' food basket program celebrates 47 years

What began as a result of a natural disaster has turned out to be a tradition at Catholic Charities and the Diocese of Corpus Christi. On Dec. 17, Catholic Charities distributed Christmas food baskets to the needy for the 47th consecutive year.

The tradition began when Hurricane Beulah struck the City of Corpus Christi and surrounding communities on Sept. 19, 1967. This prompted the diocese to activate Catholic Charities Emergency Aid Department. This was the first emergency and unmet need services provided by Catholic Charities.

As December approached in 1967, the distribution of emergency food turned to what is today the traditional Christmas Food Baskets. The Kenedy Memorial Foundation partnered with Catholic Charities for the first food basket program and has been providing support ever since.

Through the years, others came forward to help. Moody High School has been helping for 37 years. H-E-B Grocery is celebrating 36 years of support. The U.S. Marines are celebrating 35 years of providing support with their Toys for Tots campaign; Catholic Charities was the first agency to join their efforts. St. John Paul II High School is celebrating seven years of support.