AUSTIN, Texas — Heading into the holiday season, there are many families just trying to get by. El Buen Samaritano is trying to meet the demands of hundreds of families in need of diapers and food.
On Thursday, the organization held a distribution event were it distributed up to 15,000 pounds of food and 8,000 diapers.
Dr. Rosamaria Murillo, El Buen Samaritano's CEO, said many of the people coming to them are at or below the poverty level.
"[Due to] economic reasons, people are having to make choices about paying for rent and medical costs," Murillo said. "It is just more than the food – it is what food does for families. It nurtures them, provides nutrients. It provides health and well being. And to know they come and have that, we are very blessed."
Camaleta Joseph said she's dealing with high rent and food costs. As a retired housekeeper on a fixed income, she said it's tough and she is thankful for the food.
“Very important. Without them, I don't know what I'd do,” Joseph said.
Melissa Landaverde came by Thursday to get diapers for her two little ones.
"I am out of words. That's how grateful I am to El Buen for doing this for community," she said.
El Buen Samaritano offers food distributions twice a week.