Courtesy photos.
SANTA MARIA — About 55 Santa Maria High School needy families received generous food donations from Catholic Charities Friday.
The distribution took place from 11 a.m. to noon at the campus where students and their families picked up grocery bags packed with rice, beans, cereal, pasta, vegetables, snacks and other nutritious necessities.
Saint School Community Liaison Patricia Lopez Barriga began contacting non-profit agencies in town after the families reached out to her for help.
“No child or family should go hungry,’’ Barriga said. “We are very thankful for Catholic Charities for donating the food to our families. This is such a blessing for our families. In addition, we are thankful for the Blessings in the Backpack program for providing weekend lunches.”
“Catholic Charities works directly and through collaboration with other agencies to serve the needs of the most vulnerable members of our community,’’ said Yolanda Vasquez, Program Director, Catholic Charities Santa Barbara Region, Santa Barbara County. “Some of the services we offer include housing and utility payment assistance and our pantry programs. We have offices in Santa Barbara, Lompoc and Santa Maria to assist those in need, county-wide.”