Video Testimonials:

Kelly’s Hope (Based on a True Story)

(Names changed to protect privacy)

We had a client call in and let’s call her Kelly. She is the kind of person who tries to be positive and wear a warm smile, even during the toughest days. Kelly has two young children, Emma and Oliver, who are the light of her life. The last few months have been hard for Kelly and her husband as he is transitioning to a new job after being out of work for a couple of months. Financial struggles were weighing heavily on their family with limited income and savings. Kelly’s husband, Frank, had been facing challenges in his job transition, and the stress had started to take its toll on their marriage.

Kelly called 211 trying to find an organization (the Family Life Center) to help their family through this tough time. Kelly gathered her courage and decided to apply for assistance from the Family Life Center. She knew that they needed help to make ends meet, and she hoped to provide some stability for herchildren during this difficult time. As she dialed the number, she felt a mixture of anxiety and hope. The voice on the other end was warm and understanding, ready to guide her through the process. She completed the application via e-mail and was waiting for a call back from the Family Life Center.

Just as Kelly was beginning to feel a glimmer of hope, the front door opened, and Frank walked in. His face was drawn and tense, a stark contrast to the cheerful atmosphere Kelly had tried to create at home. He dropped his bag on the floor and held out a crumpled paystub. Kelly’s heart sank as she took it from him, glancing at the amount. It was far less than they had anticipated, a crushing blow to their already fragile finances.

“Kelly, we need to talk” Frank said, his voice heavy with resignation. The weight of his words hung in the air, and Kelly’s heart raced. As he spoke, it felt as though the ground beneath her was shifting, threatening to swallow her whole. Frank explained that he had made the difficult decision to leave, to take the little money they had left, and to file for divorce. The words cut through her like a knife, leaving her breathless. As she stood there in disbelief, tears began to spill from her eyes. All Kelly could think of was how she would care for Emma and Oliver without Frank’s support, how she would face the daunting reality of being a single mother. Her world felt like it was crumbling around her.

After Frank left and with a shaky breath, Kelly called the Family Life Center. The kindness in the voice on the other end was a lifeline. As she struggled to explain her situation, her emotions poured out like a dam breaking. She shared the news of Frank’s decision, the fear of losing everything, and the worries that consumed her thoughts—how would she provide for her children? How would they navigate this new reality together?

The case manager listened patiently, offering words of comfort and understanding. Kelly could hear the compassion in their voice, which helped to steady her racing heart, if only for a moment. For the first time that day, Kelly felt a flicker of hope.

Kelly’s story is one of many we receive daily at the Family Life Center.

Family Life Center 2024 Thanksgiving Outreach (Based on a True Story)

(Names changed to preserve privacy)

On the Westside of New Braunfels, there lived a young family—the Garcias—who faced daily challenges that often felt insurmountable. Carlos and Maria, both in their late twenties, were the proud parents of eight lively children, each with their own vibrant personality. Their home, a modest three-bedroom house, was filled with laughter, chaos, and love, but lately, it had also been weighed down by the burden of scarcity.

Carlos worked long hours at a local warehouse, while Maria took on odd jobs, cleaning houses and babysitting. Despite their relentless efforts, the bills piled up higher than they could manage, and the kitchen cupboards often sat bare.

As Thanksgiving approached, the excitement in the air was palpable, but for the Garcias, it was also a reminder of their struggles. They had always cherished the holiday as a time for family gatherings, shared meals, and gratitude, but this year’s celebration felt like a distant dream.

One evening, after tucking the children into bed, Maria and Carlos sat at the kitchen table, discussing their options. “We need to do something,” Maria said, her voice quivering with emotion. “I can’t bear the thought of them going without a proper meal on Thanksgiving.”

Carlos nodded, his brow furrowed. “I heard about the Thanksgiving Outreach food distribution from the Family Life Center. Maybe we should sign up. It might help us provide a meal for the kids.”

With a sense of hope mixed with apprehension, they reached out to the Family Life Center the following day. The staff was warm and welcoming, getting them registered for the Thanksgiving distribution. Maria felt a wave of gratitude wash over her as they completed the registration, knowing that they would receive enough food to celebrate Thanksgiving and feed their family beyond.

The day of the Outreach, they made their way to the site of the distribution, where the atmosphere buzzed with kindness and community spirit. Cars filled the parking lot, all waiting for their turn to receive the food boxes and turkeys. A sense of camaraderie enveloped them, and for the first time in weeks, Maria felt a spark of hope ignite within her.

When it was their turn, the staff and volunteers greeted them with smiles and handed over generous boxes filled with fresh produce, canned goods, staples and a beautiful turkey. Tears of relief filled Maria’s eyes as she realized they would be able to prepare a proper Thanksgiving meal for her family. She couldn’t help but express her gratitude to the volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the event a success.

That Thanksgiving, the Garcias shared meals filled with laughter, stories, and love—meals that reminded them of their resilience and the importance of community. And as they savored each bite, they knew that they were not alone in their struggles. They had each other, and they had the support of a community that cared.

The Garcias are one of 1,100 families that received food through the 2024 Thanksgiving Outreach.