Houstonians generously donate food during Share Your Holidays drive

HOUSTON -- The Houston Food Bank feeds 800,000 people in the Houston area, and in order to do that, they need the community's help. All day long at ABC-13 and the surrounding areas, people have been on board to help the fight against hunger.

Helpers as young as elementary school age helped unload food Friday. Ariel Munggia is one of the child volunteers.

"It feels good, and kids at my age, they don't have much food, and we're helping them get their stomachs full," Munggia said.

From young to not as young: A 91-year-old woman spent the day in Baytown on her feet giving back. She's been helping with the Share Your Holidays Food Drive for as long as she can remember.

"Come bring some food. You may not need it, but somebody else does," she says.

Once word spread about our event benefiting the Houston Food Bank, others joined the mission.

"With Thanksgiving, you always buy two or three things you didn't need, so it's a good time to share with all those people," says one man donating food in Baytown.

Food and money donations rolled in all day, benefiting those in need, like Galveston High School Senior Paul Palmisano.

"The food bank helped me in a way that no one else would have. I was in a shelter for a long time, and a lot of people didn't donate because they didn't know what it would be like to be in a shelter," says Palmisano.

When Howie Bentley heard Palmisano's story, he knew he needed to help. Bentley also went through similar circumstances as a child and realized the challenges this young man faces.

"It touched me a lot knowing this young man needed help, and the lord has blessed me to be able to have my own business in Galveston, so I should be able to give back to people in need like they have," says Bentley.

"They donated food and I was glad I got the nourishment that I needed," added Palmisano.

But, Palmisano's received more than just the gift of food.

"I've got a job, I've got an apartment, and now I'm going to work for Mr. Howie," he says.

Just the start of a very special holiday season for Palmisano.