Mayor Nirenberg helped Corazon Ministries distribute meals to the homeless on Sunday. He said: “While we work to employ a bit more physical distancing in our day-to-day lives, it’s critical that we don’t distance ourselves from serving our neighbors in need.”
And SAY Sí is distributing Creative Care Kits to their students via curbside pickup, with art supplies and at-home activities, connecting them online through weekly virtual meetings and creative challenges facilitating a forum for students to collaborate, create, and share their work online.
We publish this compassionate news roundup every Wednesday afternoon. If you want to get the news sooner, follow us on Twitter @compassionNET1. And don’t forget to use the hashtag #compassionateSA so we can find YOUR compassionate acts!
Found on KENS 5, 1 May, 2020
Spurs star, lover of animals Lonnie Walker IV working to raise awareness for San Antonio Zoo
“As an animal lover, I know the importance of caring for and loving these animals, and just breathing creations.”
Seen on WOAI 4, 30 April, 2020
Whataburger donates $30,000 to San Antonio Food Bank
“Whataburger was inspired by all the gifts from the people of San Antonio.”
Seen on WOAI 4, 29 April, 2020
USAA makes large donation of $1 million to Food Bank
“It’s so clear to us that many in San Antonio are hurting and need that type of service and it’s the basics of having enough food on your table every day.”
Found in the Express-News, 30 April, 2020
San Antonio schools closed by coronavirus work to keep their students from falling off the map
“It seems our contingency plans need contingency plans.”
Found in the Rivard Report, 1 May, 2020
No Evictions for Now in Bexar County, But Renters’ Struggles Likely to Persist
In its 1st six days, more than 3,900 families have received assistance from what is possibly the largest city-run housing assistance program in the country.
Found in the Rivard Report, 1 May, 2020
Navarra Williams Retires After 13 Years at SAMMinistries’ Helm
SAMMinistries provides programs in homeless prevention services, transitional housing, rapid rehousing, veterans housing stability, and permanent supportive housing. In 2019, the organization’s homeless prevention programs kept 32,000 people in their homes, including 16,000 children.
Found in the Express-News, 30 April, 2020
Time has come to address digital divide
As schools continue scaling up online education, it is vitally important we not lose sight of the struggles and inequities faced by thousands of families like Leo’s that are at risk of falling in the so-called digital divide.
Found in the Express-news, 1 May, 2020
Private sector steps up to raise more than $6 million for San Antonio Food Bank
“Our residents – young, old, rich, poor – are coming together to make sure people get nourished.”
Found in the Express-News, 1 May, 2020
Iconic Food Bank photo made COVID economic hardship impossible to ignore
When we come out of this deep downturn, those workers and many others in San Antonio will still be vulnerable. They still won’t have the education or more highly valued job skills.
Found in the Express-News, 1 May, 2020
In tragedy, strangers unite to offer comfort
“My brother always said he never wanted to die alone …. it means the world to me that he did not die alone.”
Found in the express-News, 1 May, 2020
UT San Antonio to hire more counselors, expand access to mental health services
Following a review by consultants, they will hire more full-time counselors and expand walk-in hours for mental health services once campus reopens.
Found in the Current, 1 May 2020
Coronavirus Crisis Brings Harsh Challenges to San Antonio’s Undocumented Community
SA is home to more than 60,000 undocumented people, who earn $1 billion annually and contribute more than $100 million to taxes.
Found in the Current, 1 May, 2020
Texas’ Front-Line Workers in the Pandemic Are Predominantly Women and People of Color, Analysis Finds
Those in the cleaning sector — including people who provide janitorial services and pest control — are more likely to be Hispanic, renters, noncitizens and foreign-born, and are more likely to have children at home than other workers, including those who hold other front-line jobs.
Found in the Express-News, 2 May, 2020
‘I don’t want to die in here:’ San Antonio inmates urge local, state officials to rethink parole guidelines as coronavirus spreads
The jail population is largely transient, with hundreds of people being booked and released every day. The outbreak endangers not only deputies, staff and inmates, but all San Antonio residents.
Found in the Express-News, 4 May, 2020
Young ‘hunger fighter’ works with San Antonio Food Bank as AmeriCorps volunteer, serving the community she loves
After grad school she wants to return to San Antonio in the future and continue striving for everyone to have access to nutritious food regardless of race or socioeconomic status.
Found in the express-News, 4 May, 2020
San Antonio youth in Fiesta Especial Royal Court don’t let disabilities stop their good works
Over several days, the members presented donations to Kinetic Kids, the Autism Treatment Center, The Kabuki Gathering, Family Service Association Elderly & Disability Services, Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children, Morgan’s Wonderland and even disABILITYsa itself.
Found in the Express-News, 4 May, 2020
San Antonio’s BiblioTech branches reopen in pandemic mode to provide much-needed computer services
“One of the things that COVID-19 has done is just shine a big old spotlight on the fact that this is a critical need in our community, that Bexar County and San Antonio are at a serious disadvantage with this digital divide.”
Found in the Rivard Report, 4 May, 2020
Chow Train Has Cooked Nearly 45,000 Meals for San Antonio’s Most Vulnerable
“A home-cooked meal is a plate of love,” Cheever said. “I just don’t think that people can live on sandwiches alone.”
Seen on WOAI 4, 4 May, 2020
San Antonio Pre-K teacher takes classroom to her students’ yards, driveways
Garza visited each of her 15 students and got to interact with them while maintaining social distancing. “We did our phonics, we read books, we danced and we had a good time.”
Found in the Express-News, 4 May, 2020
Silver Eagle Beverages donating $50,000 to San Antonio Food Bank
They are one of the nation’s largest Anheuser-Busch wholesalers.
Found in the Express-News, 4 May, 2020
Cornerstone Church, Catholic Charities helping those in need during pandemic
“During challenging times, the faith community has a unique and vital role to play.”
Found in the Current, 4 May, 2020
San Antonio Harley-Davidson Dealership Offering Free Maintenance to First Responders and Healthcare Workers
“It is hard to imagine the challenges and stress they must face each day. As a small gesture of our appreciation.”
Found in the Rivard Report, 4 May, 2020
Local Businesses Step Up to Food Distribution Plate During Coronavirus
“If you think of an idea that could help someone, before you just launch it, check and see in the community to see if anyone is doing something similar to that.”
Found in the Express-News, 3 May, 2020
More woes pile atop housing crisis
“The humanity and necessity of accessible affordable housing has never been more obvious.”
Seen on KSAT 12, 4 May, 2020
Children’s Shelter to offer advice for stressed-out families live on Facebook
Shelter to air bi-weekly livestream sessions starting Wednesday during Mental Health Awareness Month.
Seen on KSAT 12, 5 May, 2020
How Salvation Army is feeding, sheltering San Antonio community during COVID-19 crisis
They are feeding four times more people than before pandemic in South Texas.
Found in the Current, 5 May, 2020
Hot Wells Conservancy Launches Initiative to Help San Antonio Chef Feed the Elderly
What began with a project to feed a dozen households has since grown exponentially. Last week, Folklores Coffee House delivered food to more than four thousand elderly citizens.
Seen on KSAT 12, 65 May, 2020
San Antonio social service nonprofit sees demand double by vulnerable seniors
senior citizens can pick up meals Tuesday through Friday. Other employees deliver meals to clients, who are quarantined at home, don’t have transportation or can’t drive.
Seen on News 4, 5 May, 2020
SA Food Bank hosts another massive food giveaway at Traders Village
“We can do a lot more when we’re together. Seeing a lot of our church members out here but also people from the community, it’s just heart warming to see that when we come together we can do a lot.”
Heard on Texas Public Radio, 5 May, 2020
San Antonio To Give Small Businesses $1.4M Worth Of PPE, Other Supplies
About 6,500 no-touch thermometers, 56,000 face coverings, and 14,000 gallons of hand sanitizer will be given to for-profit businesses in an effort to protect the public, as the city tries to allow more of the local economy to open.
Visto en KDVA 60, 5 de mayo 2020
Colegios comunitarios de SA ofrecen ayuda de emergencia a estudiantes [SA Community Colleges Offer Emergency Aid To Students]
Los alumnos pueden utilizar los fondos para comprar despensa y pagar el alquiler, cuentas médicas o la guardería de sus hijos. [Students can use the funds to stock their pantries and pay their rent, medical bills, or childcare.]
Found in the Express-News, 6 May, 2020
Burger Boy, State Farm agents giving away $5,000 worth of gift cards to essential workers
“We are hoping to share some simple kindness to show our appreciation for the men and women who make sure we are safe, fed and healed.”
Seen on KENS 5, 5 May, 2020
Spurs make $500,000 donation to set up fund for first responders, families and businesses affected by pandemic
“The fund will help with “critical needs for first responders, assist local businesses impacted by the pandemic, and aid families who do not have adequate resources to meet their basic needs.”
Found in the Express-News, 5 May, 2020
Spurs launch fund for San Antonio first responders, businesses, families with $500K donation
Groups like Frost Bank, The Charles Butt Foundation, NuStar Energy, The Greehey Family Foundation, Red McCombs Automotive, The CE Group and The 80/20 Foundation have also pledged to chip to help the Spurs Give Together Fund reach its goal to raise more than $1 million.
Found on Spectrum, 6 May, 2020
Spurs Start Fund for First Responders, Others Impacted by COVID-19
“I’ve been profoundly touched by the resilience and generosity shown by our community during this time of need. We hope to continue to be a source of support as we get through this together.”
Found in the Current, 6 May, 2020
After National TV Appearance, Noodle Tree Chef Will Distribute Surgical Masks to San Antonians
Following his CNN appearance, the chef received a delivery of 600 surgical masks and will share 100 of those — and lunch — with UTSA campus police, since university staff and students made up a great deal of his pre-pandemic guests. Nguyen will give away the remaining 500 masks to people who order bowls of ramen, which he’s still offering via contactless takeout.
