CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Despite the cold weather, thousands of people stood in line to pick up a food basket and toys today. Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi handed out 1,600 to 1,700 holiday meals to people in Corpus Christi who are in need this Christmas. Another 1,500 meal baskets were handed out across the diocese.
Catholic Charities has been holding the turkey and toys giveaway for 53 years with assistance from the John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation. The Catholic organization surpassed last year's distribution of 2,800 meals. This year, the charity organization distributed 3,000 meals across the diocese which includes 12 counties.
Bishop Michael Mulvey kicked off today's event with a blessing for staff, volunteers and recipients. The holiday basket included a turkey, bread, stuffing, mashed potatoes and corn. Today's recipients signed up for the giveaways a couple of weeks ago.
Acting Executive Director for Catholic Charities, Angie Garcia, said everyone who showed up today accepted the items with gratitude.
"They're really happy. A lot of folks, I mean you can't begin to talk to everyon that's coming through, but just looking around and seeing their smiles on their faces...everybody's in a good mood. It's cold weather this morning, they don't mind," said Garcia.
"We're just glad and thankful that someone is thinking about the people here. we're braving the cold for these wonderful gifts, and we thank the Church and everybody involved in it," said meal recipient, Gilbert Barrera.
H-E-B, Kenedy Memorial Foundation, United Way, CPA, and the U.S. Marines helped make today's event possible.
