Pantry receives $1 million gift as giveaway starts
When Marion Thomas learned that the nonprofit she directs, Blessed Angels Emergency Food Pantry, had received a $1 million donation from local philanthropist Kym Rapier, her thoughts immediately went to those served by the pantry.
“It was so exciting,” Thomas said of the gift from the Blake, Kymberly and George Rapier Charitable Trust. “I was thinking of all of the people we could help and the mouths we could feed.”
The announcement coincided with the nonprofit’s Spring Break Giveaway this week that benefited more than 800 families, including grandparents raising grandchildren.
From 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, more than 75 volunteers, including Judson High School students, distributed food to the long lines of people at the pantry located on Nacogdoches Road.
An official said the pantry, which serves the homeless, families in need and low-income veterans, helped a total of 17,000 people in 2018.
She said the spring break initiative began over concerns for low-income students who wouldn’t be getting the one sure hot meal they have at school when campuses close for the week-long break.
In addition to the annual initiative, Blessed Angels distributes food to seniors every third Wednesday of the month at Alamo United Methodist Church, 4071 N. Foster Road. The group also offers clothing to those they serve and emergency help throughout the year when possible.
Blessed Angels blossomed from a church pantry Thomas ran in 2007. To reach the people it serves, the 501(c)3 nonprofit partners with the San Antonio Food Bank, American GI Forum and the National Veteran Outreach Program.
Recently the nonprofit helped 15 Coast Guard personnel. Thomas bought $500 worth of diapers and $250 in debit cards to buy gas for the military members, many young parents.
According to the nonprofit’s website, volunteers from Blessed Angels have provided food to more than 300,000 people over the past 12 years.
The Rapiers’ charitable trust has helped numerous local entities. In 2018, four grants totaling $800,000 went to God’s Dogs, The 100 Club of San Antonio, San Antonio Threads and the Southside Independent School District.