BROWNSVILLE — In 2020, United Way of Southern Cameron County began to have food distribution events for the public to help families of all income levels.
The food distribution event continued until April 2021, if not more, and then later ceased for almost a year because it seemed like everything was beginning to balance, officials said.
However, in 2022, the UWSCC started its food distribution program again because of rising grocery prices and families not being able to purchase food, said Wendy De Leon, president and CEO of the nonprofit.
De Leon said organizers didn’t think the food distribution programs would need to continue after the pandemic because everyone believed the community “was in a better place,” but once grocery prices started to increase, they knew it was time to step in.
Volunteers hand out produce and nonperishable foods at the distribution station for walk-up recipients Friday, March 10, 2023, for a food distribution event at the Brownsville Public Library-Southmost branch. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)A line of cars stretches down Southmost Boulevard Friday, March 10, 2023, for a food distribution event at the Brownsville Public Library-Southmost branch. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)People wait in line with carts, baby strollers and wagons at the distribution station for walk-up recipients Friday, March 10, 2023, for a food distribution event at the Brownsville Public Library-Southmost branch. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)Volunteer Julia Salina grabs bags of bread and bakery items to pass out Friday, March 10, 2023, for a food distribution event at the Brownsville Public Library-Southmost branch. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)A woman waits in her car to receive groceries Friday, March 10, 2023, for a food distribution event at the Brownsville Public Library-Southmost branch. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)A women balances bags of food on a baby stroller Friday, March 10, 2023, for a food distribution event at the Brownsville Public Library-Southmost branch. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)A recipient waits in line in their car to receive food Friday, March 10, 2023, for a food distribution event at the Brownsville Public Library-Southmost branch. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)Boxes of fresh local-grown produce fill a flatbed to be passed out Friday, March 10, 2023, for a food distribution event at the Brownsville Public Library-Southmost branch. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)Volunteers work to pass out bags of food to a line of waiting cars Friday, March 10, 2023, for a food distribution event at the Brownsville Public Library-Southmost branch. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)A volunteer packs bags with bread and other bakery items Friday, March 10, 2023, for a food distribution event at the Brownsville Public Library-Southmost branch. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)Volunteers Nancy Rice, Cathia Flores and Karen Cox separate and bag bunches of bananas Friday, March 10, 2023, for a food distribution event at the Brownsville Public Library-Southmost branch. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)Boxes of tomatoes are laid out for recipients Friday, March 10, 2023, for a food distribution event at the Brownsville Public Library-Southmost branch. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)People wait in line with carts, baby strollers and wagons at the distribution station for walk-up recipients Friday, March 10, 2023, for a food distribution event at the Brownsville Public Library-Southmost branch. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)
