St. Anthony bands together to care for those in need

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David Jimenez, disabled Robstown resident, receives a bag of groceries for his family from Elisa Cavazos, coordinator at St. Anthony's Social Services.

Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic

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When David Jimenez injured his back three years ago, his life changed in an instant.

“I’m disabled now and unable to work,” the Robstown native said. “Things have been extremely tough for me and my family since, but I thank God for St. Anthony’s Social Services. They have been a lifesaver for us.”

Thanks to generous support from St. Anthony’s Parish in Robstown, as well as the support of the entire community, St. Anthony’s Social Services and St. Anthony’s Thrift Shop, located next door, serve those in need of a helping hand.

“Social Services is a beautiful ministry that respects and values the dignity of each person,” said Elisa Cavazos, St. Anthony’s Social Services Coordinator. “We serve the baby in the womb, pregnant women, the disabled, the elderly, homeless and families in need by providing food, water and clothing, with love and compassion.”

Cavazos said 90-150 bags of food are given to the homeless every month. Each bag contains staples, including items like soup in a cup, breakfast cereal bars, pudding, bottled water and juice. Additionally, approximately 150 families are assisted with groceries each month.

Not only does Social Services provide food, they also give financial assistance.

“We do assist with utility bills, if we are able to at that time and we also refer our clients to other organizations, such as Catholic Charities and Hope House,” Cavazos said. “We are here to listen with compassion, as our clients share their struggles and pain. We are here to bring the love and hope of Jesus Christ. We even pray together.”

Roberto Rodriguez picks up a bag of essentials from St. Anthony's Social Services Coordinator Elisa Cavazos. Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic

According to Cavazos, the homeless population in Robstown is on the increase, so their outreach to the homeless is not limited to bags of food. Social Services feed the homeless breakfast tacos every Tuesday. Every third Thursday they provide a warm meal for the hungry. But she insists they could not do it all alone. She said the support they receive from St. Anthony’s Parish, as well as the entire community is remarkable.

“The homeless tell me how much they enjoy having fellowship with our beautiful Pastor Father Tony Blount. Our priests, brothers, religious, parish and surrounding parishes have a big heart for the homeless. The blessings are countless,” she said, with tears in her eyes.

The Food Bank of Corpus Christi is a "wonderful partner" in the combat against hunger, she said. And when individuals or families come in with a unique need, she has friends and colleagues in the community that can help fulfill a special request within hours. For Cavazos, it is all about a community that cares and comes through for its own.

“We served 450 plates at the annual Thanksgiving luncheon for the elderly and last year provided a Christmas meal for those in need. Additionally, each homeless client received a Christmas gift from our angel tree,” she said.

The community support has inspired a wave of giving throughout the community. St. Anthony's School and Little Flower held a food drive and collected more than 2,000 food items for the food pantry recently.

“Children at St. Anthony's School, St. John's Home School and Lotspeich Elementary are being taught at a very young age the Works of Mercy. St. Anthony School is holding a diaper drive for Hope House and Social Services. Local parishes, schools, businesses and even Robstown first responders all work together as a team to keep Social Services running efficiently. This is how we are able to provide our services to those in need, not only in Robstown, but surrounding rural areas, as well,” Cavazos said.

Mary Garza, manager of the St. Anthony Thrift Store, shows a toy to Max Martinez, who came to the store with his neighbor, Bertha Solis. Rebecca Esparza for South Texas Catholic

St. Anthony’s Thrift Store, located next door to St. Anthony’s Social Services in the heart of downtown Robstown, also serves the entire community. Families can find low-cost clothing or household items in the store.

Bertha Solis visited the store recently with a neighbor’s young son, Max.

“I come in from Bishop all the time. I love finding good deals on clothing. You just can’t beat their prices anywhere else,” said Solis, a parishioner at St. James in Bishop.

St. Anthony’s Thrift Store Manager Mary Garza has managed day-to-day operations since 2003. Items in the store are all donations and any profits are sent next door to Social Services.

“We provide a loving and caring service to those who need a helping hand. We clothe the homeless, as well as families who need assistance. We also provide all our patrons with the knowledge that God is love. He is always by your side with open arms,” she said.

Both St. Anthony’s Social Services and St. Anthony’s Thrift Store could use monetary donations, as well as volunteers.

“If people want to help, they can always send monetary donations to St. Anthony’s parish office. Also, for the homeless, we are in need of soup in a cup, breakfast bars, sausages, crackers, snacks, bottled water, razors, toothpaste, tooth brushes and deodorant,” St. Anthony’s Social Services’ Cavazos said. “For families, we need canned goods, oatmeal, boxed cereal, pasta, coffee, meats and poultry. We also encourage schools, churches and businesses to hold food drives to assist us.”

Working at Social Services is more than a just a job for Cavazos; it is a calling. And it is a calling that has impacted her life in a profound way.

“Jesus Christ and Blessed Mother have called me to work here at Social Services. Prayer is important throughout the day so we can see Jesus Christ in the face of each beautiful person that walks in the door. The homeless have hearts filled with gratitude to Jesus for blessing them through this ministry. When they tell us ‘God Bless You’ those words penetrate the soul. Everything we do is always for God's Glory,” Cavazos said.