HUNT, Texas – Signs for free food have become common in Texas Hill Country towns hardest hit by catastrophic flash flooding.
Disaster relief groups have arrived to serve hot meals, but one group from Rockport stands out. They’re not professionals, just a group of neighbors wanting to return a favor.
“Today on the menu, a lot of fajita, beef and chicken,” said Brandon Ayers. “Everybody’s gonna need to eat.”
About 10 people made the drive from Rockport to Hunt, Texas, to help. It’s a favor no one asked for, but one they felt compelled to do.
“Well, man, about eight years ago, Hurricane Harvey came through Rockport, complete devastation just like this,” Ayers said. “And so, so many people from the hill country all over, man just came down to South Texas to help us out. And honestly, we came here just to return the favor, help people out. I mean we know exactly what a lot of these people are going through.”
The smoker they’re using to cook up to 500 meals a day was Brandon’s 40th birthday gift, received just last week. There was no better way to break it in than by parking it in front of The Hunt Store and helping fellow Texans.
For locals and visitors, The Hunt Store has been a community fixture for years.
“We’re still doing it. It feels good for everybody to gather again and just be together,” said Haley Lehrmann, owner of The Hunt Store.
Before the flood, the store was a one-stop shop — the only place to stop in town. It housed a grocery store, restaurant, coffee shop and more.
Now it’s a place for free meals, water and faith.
“We don’t want anybody to feel discouraged,” Lehrmann said. “So, we’re trying to do everything we can. This is a big part of the community, and we just love this community.”
That love is evident here — in prayer, helping hands and home-cooked meals.
“I think it brings people together quite a bit, actually. So, we’re going to stay as long as we can to help these people,” Ayers said.
