New Food Pantry opening soon in Acres Homes

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A special project, eight years in the making, is working to help families who live in Houston who can't help themselves.

Houston resident Leonard Randle says, "No, I ain't gonna give up."

It was the lowest point in his life. Randle says he was starving. The Acres Homes resident was broke.

"I was down on my luck and came to them and asked and told them I needed some help," said Randle.

It wasn't easy asking for assistance. But, close to 500 people a year have to do the same thing at Saint Monica Food Pantry. Many of them have a place to stay, like Randle, but can't afford to feed their families.

Looking back at his experience Randle is grateful.

"They took me in there and gave me a big box of food to take home," he said.

Saint Monica's started small. A 10 by 20 pantry across from Saint Monica Catholic Church.

But, the need in Acres Homes, a low income community, is large. Through a million dollars in federal grant money, a new, bigger facility can help more people.

Jacquelyne Strauss-Shannon with the Food Pantry described the opening today.

"It's a blessing. A blessing from God," said Strass-Shannon.

The pantry is not just for food, it will also help people find employment. It will also offer courses, GEDs and resume building.

Plus, the new building is energy efficient and has a backup generator to serve as a shelter during hurricanes.

Architect Andre Chaphere who worked closely on the project says, "It's a great source of pride of doing something good for the community. I feel really good about what we accomplished here today."

Saint Monica's new facility hopes to double the amount of people it's helping to nearly 1,000 a year. The pantry is set to open November 3, 2014.