By Nicolas Lopez
On any given day, there are over 350 homeless people in Lubbock, according to a 2015 survey conducted by the South Plains Homeless Consortium.
St. Benedict’s guests talk about the world after a Sunday breakfast. Nicolas Lopez/The Hub@TTU.
Cole Blackwood, food service supervisor St. Benedict’s Chapel, said volunteers and donations are needed to help the hungry.
“There’s a lot of people here who would really be hurting if we didn’t come in and do some of the stuff that we do,” he said. “It’s important, a lot of these people do need help.”
St. Benedict’s Chapel was founded in 2007 to feed the poor and homeless in Lubbock. Norma Valdez, a volunteer, said the chapel serves dinner to over 100 people a day.
“I feel we are doing God’s work by taking care of the less fortunate,” she said.
These are all the possessions of a man who regularly walks the streets of downtown Lubbock. He didn’t want to be photographed. Instead, he said to take a picture of his belongings. Nicolas Lopez/The Hub@TTU
The South Plains Food Bank, a Lubbock-based humanitarian organization, estimates that 1 in 4 children is at risk of going to bed hungry across the South Plains. Nearly 44,000 people in Lubbock County experience food insecurity, according to United Way.
Food insecurity is defined as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active and healthy life, according to the United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service.
Chad Wheeler, executive minister of Carpenter’s Church, said his church addresses the immediate needs of the hungry by providing meals but also works to address their long-term needs.
“Part of the philosophy behind the formation of Carpenter’s Church was we can feed a belly for a day, and it’s good, but we’re going to be back here next week unless we do some serious long term help that is going to get people out of their situations,” Wheeler said.
If you are hungry in Lubbock, this map of soup kitchens may help you find a meal.
About JOUR 4350
