Imagine you’re a parent, sitting in the team meeting, embarrassed that everyone can hear your stomach growling. Later, the team invites you to join them for lunch, but you decline blaming past due reports. The truth is you don’t have enough money left in your paycheck after paying rent and bills to afford groceries for you and the kids, so you skip as many meals as possible to make sure the kids have plenty to eat.

Maybe you’re a senior citizen who planned every glorious aspect of retirement to the last penny and second to ensure a golden life, but you didn’t expect your spouse to get sick and pass early. You didn’t know how the system worked and that you could get denied pension or security benefits. There are complications with the paperwork so you can’t access any extra funds. There’s only so much money left after paying the mortgage, hospital bills, funeral costs, and bills. You can’t tell your family or friends out of shame or embarrassment. The only friend and help you have is the case worker at the local food pantry. You’re going to make it – with a little grace and help.

In today’s uncertain economy, many individuals and families are struggling to meet their basic needs. Rising food and fuel prices, a narrowing or limited job market, and soaring housing and medical costs have created a sinking pit of financial insecurity, leaving countless individuals – many single parents and elderly people - without enough to eat. Many also face non-existing to neglected housing as repairs and upkeep cost money.

The need for nonprofit food pantries has never been more pressing. Eight local organizations not only provide immediate relief by offering access to nutritious food, but they also play a pivotal role in building stronger, more resilient communities – one family, one house at a time.

Next week, each one of us has the opportunity to help our local non-profit food pantries in their efforts to feed our neighbors. The Annual Food for Families Food Drive is on a mission to collect hundreds of thousands of pounds of non-perishable food. McLennan County food pantries are eager to restock shelves with their portion of the annual collection. For many, this single event can get them and their clients through the holiday and winter seasons. Will you help lend a hand and donate a can or two?

GGA Pest Management makes it easy to do so. Every year, GGA Pest Management Technicians hit the streets collecting bags of food from generous customers wishing to make a difference in our community. Every bag of food is noted. Every donor is recognized, and one lucky donor even wins a prize – but everything is done with charity in mind. All donations are delivered straight to the Food for Families Food Drive thanks to ready and able GGA Pest Technicians and Lighting by GGA trucks and trailers.

GGA knows the economy has been tight this year and customers may be cautious investing money in causes, so we wanted to share our knowledge of one incredible local food pantry. Caritas of Waco has been a GGA Pest Management customer for many years. We’ve seen the work put into serving 26,000 families and more than 82,000 individuals last year alone. Recently, we asked about the organization’s urgent needs and got invited to an exclusive interview and behind-the-scenes tour to gather information to share with you.

The Needs & Struggles in the House Next Door

The current economic landscape has made life harder for many homes in our community. Economic disparities, made worse by inflation, are increasing the number of people who find themselves needing food assistance. Food insecurity not only affects afflicted households, but local businesses and the community as a whole.

1. Food Insecurity & Housing: While hunger remains a central issue for many in our community, a lack of safe, affordable housing often amplifies food insecurity. Families struggling to pay high rents or facing eviction are frequently forced to make impossible choices – pay for shelter or pay for food. In the past few years, housing costs have surged in many areas, and nearly 1 in 4 renters in the U.S. now spend more than half of their income on rent. This leaves little room in their budgets for nutritious food, making food pantries a critical lifeline. While Caritas of Waco may not be able to help with direct housing costs, it can bolster family budgets by providing quality food twice a week at its Downtown Waco food pantry. By saving money on food costs, families are able to pay rent or mortgages, or the services needed to maintain homes like insurance, roofing repairs, and pest management.
2. Food Insecurity & Employment: A lack of adequate food can create a cycle of issues that affect stable employment. Hunger makes it harder to focus on tasks at work. Constant hunger and financial worries can create stress and anxiety which puts employes at risk of medical and mental health issues possibly not covered by health insurance. Stressed and sick employees miss work impacting productivity. Reliance on non-nutritious food can lead to chronic health issues such as diabetes or hypertension could negatively impact rising health insurance costs for small business employers. It’s safe to say well-fed employees who perform better are more able to take better care of business customers.
3. Food Insecurity & Community: Without basic needs like food and shelter being met, escaping poverty becomes even more challenging. When you’re trying to survive, it’s hard to have concern or energy to contribute to the community. People who are card for feel included, and often feel inspired to give back or pay it forward. One small act of kindness, even just a can of food, provides a transformational ripple effect.

This is why your food donation to the Annual Food for Families Food Drive plays a vital role in McLennan County’s present and future state of success and while food pantries primarily focus on addressing hunger, the work they do goes far beyond simply feeding individuals. By donating food, agencies like Caritas of Waco can invest financial and human resources into other life sustaining programs benefiting our community.

The Needs & Struggles in Our Community

Caritas of Waco staff operate nearly a dozen programs designed to help our neighbors reach sustainable living including shelter, education, and employment. Many of these programs align closely with those shared by GGA. Help for United States veterans. Help for women and children. Help for the elderly. Help for those seeking a hand-up and not a hand-out.

Take a quick look to see how your simple food donation can support three worthwhile Caritas of Waco programs that have helped community members rise above current situations into sustainable, contributing roles within our community for over 58 years.

1. Veterans Assistance: Caritas of Waco employs two full-time team members to assist neighbors in applying for government programs providing funds for housing and other financial needs. Often these applications take an exhaustive amount of documentation and complex online filing processes which can be daunting to someone without experience or tech skills, especially when suffering financial stress and hunger.
2. Federal Benefits Assistance: Caritas of Waco serves as McLennan County’s largest provider of state/federal program assistance. Team members assist neighbors in applying for programs providing funds for food, health insurance, and other living expenses necessary for optimal health and living standards. Often these applications take an exhaustive amount of documentation and complex online filing processes which can be daunting to someone without experience or tech skills, especially when suffering financial stress and hunger.
3. Resource Assistance: Life can throw obstacles, and sometimes it throws so many they snowball into overwhelming circumstances. Caritas of Waco has dedicated staff that help people with physical needs such as hygiene products, prescriptions, and diapers that can affect stable living and employment. The agency can also provide emergency funds for shelter and transportation needs. Financial literacy and forklift training certification can assist neighbors in overcoming short term needs and reaching long-term stability within the community.

We may not be able to solve every issue for everyone, but each of us can help contribute to building a better community by supporting agencies such as Caritas of Waco with a simple food donation to the Annual Food for Families Food Drive. Together we can make a difference.

The Needs for the Annual Food for Families Food Drive

If you’re not sure what to donate, we compiled a short list of options that can be found in your home or a quick trip to the grocery store or dollar store down the street. Don’t forget to CALL GGA PEST MANAGEMENT AT 254.666.3439 AND WE’LL SEND A PEST TECHNICIAN TO PICK UP THE DONATION FOR DELIVERY. We’ll even enter you into a drawing for a $100 Amazon Gift Card.

1. Shelf-stable, non-perishable food items such as canned meats or beans, powdered milk, juice, canned veggies, pastas, cereals, and even seasonings are welcome and used every day.
2. Food items that are easily transportable and require no cooking such as peanut butter crackers, pop-open canned foods, granola bars, and dried fruit are ideal for unhoused individuals and seniors with limited mobility.
3. Hygiene items are a highly sought commodity rarely found but desperately needed. From diapers for children and adults to basic soap or shampoo, small daily items to some mean the difference to others struggling to maintain employment, childcare, or senior living assistance.

The Need to Build Community

Your Food for Families Food Drive Donation can help someone in our community build a stable home for their family. It can make a difference for someone who might otherwise miss work or school due to insufficient food or hygiene products. By donating even one bag of food and calling GGA PEST MANAGEMENT for free pick-up service, you can have a small part in fostering a support system that benefits the families, children, and future workers in our community.