PASADENA, Texas – With Thanksgiving just days away, hundreds of Houston-area families are getting a little relief thanks to a coordinated effort between law enforcement, churches, and community volunteers who spent the week delivering holiday meals to those struggling to make ends meet.
In Pasadena, Restoration Church Pastor Martha Santos says the need this year is unlike anything she’s seen.
“We are surrounded by a community of very less fortunate children,” Santos said. “A lot of families in our neighborhood are really needing during this moment, and this is going to be a huge blessing for them.”
Santos says rising costs have hit families hard.
“Parents maybe are not working, they’re having to pay double on their light bill. The rent has tripled everywhere,” she said.
Among the families receiving help this year is Nery Rivera, who lost her job two months ago after her work permit was suspended.
“I can’t work,” she said. “They suspend my permit… I can’t work.”
Rivera is one of 600 families who received a full Thanksgiving meal, turkey, dressing, and holiday sides, delivered directly to their homes.
The large-scale outreach is spearheaded by Lt. David Garza, now with the Harris County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office. Garza has organized holiday meal deliveries for years, originally starting the tradition while serving with the Pasadena Police Department.
This year’s event once again united officers and volunteers from across the region: Houston Police, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, multiple constable offices, community groups, church partners, and volunteers.
Garza calls the effort a labor of love.
“We’re not feeding 600 people,” he said. “We’re feeding 600 families.”
“It’s a blessing, man, to do this 14 years and still get it going. I’m very happy,” Garza added.
He says families living paycheck to paycheck are being hit especially hard this year.
“Money is tight right now… when you put on something like this, you’re relieving some of that financial pressure,” he said.
According to state data, more than 877,000 people across Harris County and 10 surrounding counties received SNAP benefits in August. Since then, the federal government shutdown and temporary pauses in assistance have left some families unsure how they would afford groceries let alone a holiday meal.
That’s why community organizations that work directly in neighborhoods helped identify which households needed help most.
As volunteers made their final deliveries, Garza said the goal is simple: make sure families can celebrate without added stress.
“It gives them a break, peace of mind,” he said. “Knowing that on Thanksgiving, at least, they’ll be able to feed their family and save that money for something else.”
Pastor Santos says the impact goes far beyond food.
“This is a huge blessing,” she said. “Our community really needs it right now.”