Saint Vincent de Paul Society opens up food pantry to help feed the less fortunate

13 On Your Side's Vanessa Gongora reports

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - More food for the holidays as the Immaculate Conception Saint Vincent de Paul Society opened up their food pantry in Yuma with a celebration Wednesday morning.

This is the second location to help feed the needy, the first being Crossroads Mission.

The new food pantry is called, "IC St. Vincent De Paul Monsignor Richard O'Keeffe Center" located on West 4th St.

The society says it has been a work in progress for three years.

The food is donated by the church and with the money donations, volunteers buy food every other week to help feed the less fortunate.

Volunteer Henri Garcia says they are spending about $1,000 every two weeks to feed the families.

They are also assisting families with APS every Wednesday until the grant lasts.

The President of the Society, Ed Garcia, says the amount of people in need tripled within the last two months and is happy he is able to make a difference.

"It means a lot to me. It means a lot to where we want to have people to get their dignity back. You know, to say you got a responsibility on this earth, everybody does," says Garcia. "So for me, I will share what I have and our food pantry. As members that got together and says we need to do something because our community is going down the drain."

Crossroads Mission is donating a freezer full of meat and bread.

The society says they are seeking turkey and chicken donations to add to the food boxes.

"We help Somerton, San Luis, Winterhaven, Welton. We help everybody," says Henri Garcia. "We never say no."

The pantry is open every other Wednesday from 9-11 a.m.

If you would like to donate or volunteer, you can drop off or sign up at the parish office located at 505 S. Avenue B.