Thanksgiving is a time when families come together, expressing gratitude for all their blessings. Here in the Texas Hill Country, that’s not a foreign concept to each of us, but for some, it’s a little bit harder to express in the traditional sense. The cost to feed a family isn’t getting any cheaper, especially if we’re talking about a Thanksgiving feast. Fortunately, there are some great Hill Country people willing to lend a hand and see to it that every family has a joyful Thanksgiving. That’s why the GVTC Foundation was developed. Based in Spring Branch, Texas, GVTC’s philanthropic arm is employee-driven. They focus on improving the quality of life for those in the communities they serve, and they do so by volunteering throughout the year, providing support, and making efforts to give back. No event is larger on their radar right now than Thanksgiving. That’s because they work to feed entire families during the holiday each year.
Lifestyle
The GVTC Foundation’s Spirit of Giving is Helping Hill Country Families in Need
Photo: The GVTC Foundation
Through the GVTC Foundation’s annual Thanksgiving Giveback, the employees become deeply involved with the communities they serve. They take food donations and raise funds to purchase Thanksgiving meals, which they package and personally deliver to families in need. By partnering with local food pantries such as Blanco Good Samaritan, Hope Center, Provisions, CRRC, Habitat for Safe Seniors, Hill Country Family Services, Helping Hands, and Gonzales Christian Assistance Ministries, they work to address a list of local families’ needs, including a full frozen turkey and all the traditional trimmings.
Photo: The GVTC Foundation
To do this, the GVTC Foundation always welcomes community members and youth to consider donating throughout the year. High school students, sports teams, and youth groups who would like to work toward completing their community service hours are invited to connect with the organization and volunteer. Individuals, families, and groups can learn more by emailing [email protected] with any questions, or contact Sonia Aguillon at her direct line, which is (830) 885-8205. Find out how you can lend a helping hand and make this Thanksgiving one to remember!
Photo: Pixabay
The Thanksgiving Giveback is an initiative that’s extremely near and dear to the hearts of those involved with the GVTC Foundation. It allows them to reach out in friendship and in the name of community. Through the assistance of the partnership food pantries, they work to personally connect with each family in order to make arrangements for delivery of the meals. They also spend time visiting with the families in the process, forging bonds of real friendship. It’s that relationship-building that lets each household know how The GVTC Foundation truly feels about their home communities here in the Texas Hill Country.
Photo: The GVTC Foundation
Now in its sixth year, the Thanksgiving Giveback has gone from assisting 50 families of four (traditionally, however, they also support those that are larger) to now aiming for a total of 225 families. They hope to exceed even that number. Last year, they managed to feed and visit with 215 families in total throughout Boerne, Canyon Lake, Bulverde, Spring Branch, Blanco, and Gonzales. Within the 11 counties they serve, they manage the entire process through volunteers (as the foundation is 100 percent supported and run by GVTC employees). The cause is so meaningful, they’ve found interest from outside of their ranks as well, including high school fundraising and food donation support from within the city of San Antonio.
Photo: The GVTC Foundation
While all this takes place leading up to Thanksgiving, The GVTC Foundation wants to make community connections in advance for better community involvement and preparation. The foundation works with employees and community members as early as late August and September to encourage donations, spread awareness about the Thanksgiving Giveback event, and share information about The GVTC Foundation in general. Those who are interested in making monetary donations toward this grassroots, Hill Country initiative can do so at the link provided here (a secured link through The GVTC Foundation website). Those interested in making non-perishable food donations can begin doing so by dropping off items such as packaged or canned gravy, boxes of stuffing, boxed instant potato flakes, cans of green beans, canned corn, or canned cranberry sauce at the GVTC Spring Branch or Boerne locations.
Photo: Facebook/GVTC Communications
If you’re interested in volunteering for more than just this heartwarming and generous event, The GVTC Foundation also works throughout the year. They conduct Christmas present donations, as well as an annual charity golf tournament, to ensure that funds are raised in support of the families in the greatest need here at home. about their Thanksgiving Giveback and other great projects and help support your community with benevolence and compassion – because that’s what being Texan is all about.