Thousands of Val Verde County Residents Find Relief in Regular Food Aid Events

Locals lined up for the bi-weekly food aid event at Val Verde County Community Center, which was postponed since Friday after the trucks hauling the food from Laredo arrived a day late. But all went according to plan Tuesday as a dozen volunteers loaded vehicles with fresh veggies and bread by the crate-load. It’s an operation that benefits up to 1,000 families in a single day, says Val Verde County commissioner Gustavo Flores.

Because Val Verde County has an ongoing partnership with Laredo’s South Texas Food Bank, free food has been regularly distributed — with the occasional exception — to residents of Val Verde County for about 15 years. Many of those who benefit from the aid represent economically disadvantaged neighborhoods called colonias, which are characterized by lack of basic infrastructure like sewage, electricity, and paved roads. 

Val Verde County Commissioner Gustavo Flores says food assistance is just one way the county works toward forming partnerships that bring low-income residents relief. 

“Thanks to the South Texas Food Bank in Laredo. They help us pretty much every other week with all this food. It helps thousands of families here in our community,” says Flores.

About two full big rigs arrive to Del Rio with fresh veggies, bread and other goods to be distributed all at once at the Community Center located at 1690 Cienegas Road.