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Help James keep the the Thursday Table pantry stocked

Help keep a free food pantry open for families and seniors in Laredo.

Anywhere in the world3,718 views
James H. Watkins
Email verified
Laredo
Since 2023, our volunteer team has run the Thursday Table every Monday from the back of the parish hall. We started with 13 families, and now we feed 124 each week. Donations have dropped by about 41% this summer, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 15 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the Laredo market and keep every receipt. Each $25 feeds a family of four for a week. All of the funds go to groceries, fresh produce, and cold-storage costs. Where the $3,100 goes: • Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $1,200 • Fresh vegetables and fruit: $1,300 • Baby formula and diapers: $470 • Refrigeration and electricity: $130 I hope life is good to you. - James

Updates from James

No updates yet. Supporters are notified when the owner posts one.

  • Ernestina Rebecca Adjei 🇬🇭 · $20
  • Bilal Zakaria Khoury 🇲🇦 · $25

    “Hang in there. My sister told me about this one. - Mohammedia”

  • Hailey G. Cox 🇺🇸 · $10
  • Anonymous 🇮🇩 · $11
  • Sofía P. Cruz 🇨🇴 · $25
  • Lucía Santos 🇨🇴 · $5
  • Anonymous 🇫🇷 · $100
  • Orlando A. Alcantara 🇵🇭 · $44
  • Jignesh E. Zaveri 🇮🇳 · $32
  • Milena Valentyna Egorov 🇺🇦 · $5

    “Wishing you the best. From Lviv with love.”

  • Francisca Bruna Vasconcelos 🇧🇷 · $25

    “Good luck. Thought of James all day after reading this.”

  • Abhishek J. Sood 🇮🇳 · $75

    “Wishing you the best. Please keep us posted. - Kanpur”

  • Angela D. Matthews 🇺🇸 · $5

    “Be well. Thought of James all day after reading this. - Bakersfield”

  • Phượng Vy Luong 🇻🇳 · $75
  • Avery J. Mosley 🇺🇸 · $50
  • Francis Emmanuel Larbi 🇬🇭 · $71
  • Kiran K. Sastry 🇮🇳 · $100
  • Angela N. Bowers 🇬🇧 · $25
  • Francisco L. Bravo 🇨🇴 · $50
  • Dmytro Sorokin 🇺🇦 · $5

Reviews

3.4(8 reviews)

Only people who gave to this need, or whose offer to help was accepted, can review it.

  • Gabriel Rémi Le Gall🇨🇦Verified helper
    Reliable and compassionate

    I was skeptical at first, but this person proved to be reliable and genuinely interested in helping. Their response time was incredible and their solutions were practical.

  • Hamisi Musyoka Nakamya🇺🇬Verified donor
    Outstanding person

    I can't speak highly enough about this helper. They were available when I needed them, supportive when I felt lost, and practical in their solutions.

  • Souad Ines Mansour🇩🇪Verified helper
    Truly grateful for the support

    I can't speak highly enough about this helper. They were available when I needed them, supportive when I felt lost, and practical in their solutions.

  • Pranav D. Sharma🇮🇳Verified donor
    Delivered on promises

    The help I received was exactly what was described and more. This person follows through on their commitments and genuinely cares about making a positive impact.

  • Alexa L. Davidson🇺🇸Verified donor
    Truly grateful for the support

    This helper is honest and transparent about what they can do. They didn't overpromise, but they did deliver excellent results. I would definitely trust them again.

  • Patricia A. Solís🇪🇸Verified helper
    Patient and understanding

    This is what community support looks like. They didn't just offer generic advice; they provided personalized help tailored to my specific situation.

  • Zainab Funmilayo Ogunleye🇳🇬Verified helper
    Made a real difference

    This helper is honest and transparent about what they can do. They didn't overpromise, but they did deliver excellent results. I would definitely trust them again.

  • Christian L. Mitchell🇨🇦Verified donor
    Would recommend to anyone

    Couldn't have asked for better support. They listened carefully, understood my situation deeply, and provided thoughtful advice that actually worked. Thank you so much.

Questions & comments

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  • rooting for you, James. Hope the build day goes well, wish I lived closer. I'm in hospitality myself and wanted you to know we're cheering for you.

    • good luck, James. Shared this with my family. I'll check back for the next update. Thinking of Laredo.

      • Hope it all works out, James. Gave what I could, wish it was more. This is the second need I've supported on here and the first that made me cry. God bless.

        • Take care. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes. I have a 8 year old who wants to send good wishes too. Thinking of Laredo

          • Pornpimol SombatPhoto verified

            You're not alone. Looking forward to the next update. It's not much but it's yours. Thinking of Laredo

            • Hope it all works out, James. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. I told my book club about it and three of them are giving too. Greetings from Coyoacán.

              $2,105.50 raised of $3,100

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