A recent effort led by the Diocese of Sioux City has filled a semi-truck trailer with essential supplies bound for the Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, Texas. The shipment includes 171,000 freeze-dried meals, eight pallets of clothing, and other necessary items to aid individuals affected by the border crisis. Partners involved in the project include Then Feed Just One, the Diocese of Sioux City, and numerous northwest Iowa businesses, organizations, and parishes. Diocesan Catholic school students and staff packaged many of the meals through Then Feed Just One packing events. Bishop R. Walker Nickless loaded the final pallet onto the truck Wednesday and blessed the contents before shipping them to McAllen. Bishop Nickless commended the many people involved in the effort, saying, “I could not be more pleased or impressed with the collaboration of so many entities that led to filling up this trailer for the people suffering at the U.S./Mexico border. Everyone involved, from packaging the meals to donating supplies and clothing to packing the truck today – they show us how to truly care for their neighbors. Neighbors they will never meet. This is a beautiful example of caring for our brothers and sisters in need.” According to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, there have been more than 900,000 encounters at the border in the first five months of 2023, far more than federal authorities are equipped to handle. Donations can be made online via catholiccharitiesrgv.org.
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https://www.catholiccharitiesrgv.org/Donations.aspx