LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Every Saturday morning, dozens of grocery bags go out the door at Lubbock’s Dream Center as part of a food program that has served Hub City families for more than a decade.
More than 100 families use the center’s food program weekly, according to Compassion Minister Cynthia Botello. That number keeps growing.
“Especially during the holiday season, and because of what happened recently with the government shutdown and the SNAP program being affected. Our numbers did climb,” Botello said.
Growing demand drives constant restocking
The center constantly restocks to meet growing demand. Since 2010, the Dream Center has given away more than $1.7 million in food.
Botello says A partnership with the South Plains Food Bank helps make it possible.
“The food bank has been a tremendous help to us and our partnership with them, we feel like, is very strong. They know that we do serve a lot of people, so they’re always willing to help us in so many ways,” Botello said.
Weekly distribution serves around 130 families
That partnership comes to life at the Dream Center every Saturday at 8 a.m. The center hands out around 130 grocery bags every week.
Each family gets shelf-stable items, cold food and canned goods. Rice, beans and pasta are often the staple items.
For those who need help cooking with these items, the center offers free cooking demos every Saturday.
Botello said the Dream Center plans to expand its partnership with the food bank.
“We want people to feel valued. We want them to feel respected. We want them to feel seen,” Botello said.
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