Alex picks up groceries for his family from the emergency food pantry from the St. Vincent de Paul Family Resource Center in Pittsburg.

There are many reasons why a family may find themselves in need. Job loss, illness, surprise expenses – all of these things can push a family to the edge.

Alex is a union carpenter. With rising interest rates, home construction has slowed. Additionally, when winter rains come, there are days when construction doesn’t happen – and on those days Alex doesn’t earn a paycheck. But, thanks to the generosity of donors like you, Alex has not only been able to feed himself, but his four grandchildren too.

“I’ve been out of work for a couple of months now,” Alex said. “It’s been hard, everything is so expensive, and PG&E just keeps increasing. But I feel blessed to have found St. Vincent de Paul. I’ve been getting food from SVdP, and it’s a huge help.”

Alex said he was driving when he saw people lining up for food at the free dining room at the St. Vincent de Paul Family Resource Center, a partnership with Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa. Alex said he lined up and got a hot meal, and enjoyed the company the dining room provided.

“I saw people getting food so I lined up,” Alex said. “The food was really good and everyone was so nice. I sat in the dining room eating and talking to some of the other people there. A lot of them were homeless and it was just an eye-opening experience for me to sit there and talk to them, getting to know them. I’m really happy I found SVdP.”

Alex has also been receiving food from the Emergency Food Pantry at the SVdP Family Resource Center. Once a month, the Emergency Food Pantry is able to provide people and families in need with a variety of pantry staples – pasta, cereal, frozen chicken and beef – to help fill their cupboards and provide for their family.

Alex said, “I am just so thankful for everyone at SVdP for helping my family when we were in need. The food from the pantry and the dining room is such a huge help, and I’m just grateful. I feel blessed and thank god that I have a good job that I know I can go back to when the weather improves, but I’m happy SVdP is here for others who aren’t so lucky.”