Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Xi Alpha Omega Chapter’s Family Strengthening Program donated more than 180 pounds of food to Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church’s St. Vincent de Paul Pantry in the Fifth Ward Community on April 17, 2015.

Under the direction of Jackie Davis Gilmore, vice-president, Stephanie Trouillier Johnson, Be’Atrice Randall and Cerendy Sias, chair and co-chairs respectively, ten members of the committee spent four hours packaging  and distributing food to those in need.

The chapter targeted a critical issue facing many families today, the lack of food. As a result, a food drive was held during the March meeting.   “No one should have to go to bed hungry; we want to fill pantries and enrich lives,” Davis Gilmore, vice-president, said.

The reality, according to Target Hunger, is that hunger in Houston is an everyday problem – not just a holiday season issue. Many of our neighbors experience difficulty making ends meet every day.

“I believe that food drives, such as ours, support community pantries to meet the needs of the community.  We are happy to be that source,” Trouillier Johnson, committee chairman, said.

Xi Alpha Omega’s community hunger initiative was launched in partnership with St. Vincent de Paul Pantry staff and Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church.  Members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (or “Vincentians” ) are men and women who strive to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to individuals in need. They are young and old, and their members come in every shade of skin color. All believe they are blessed with an awareness that their blessings (time, talent or treasure) are to be shared with brothers and sisters who are in need.

Committee members present included: Gayle Brown, Delores Johnson, Victoria McClain, Ruth Ferguson, Carolyn Woodard, Gwen Allen and Thelma Johnson, along with Gilmore, Trouillier Johnson and Randall.

“As Alpha Kappa Alpha members, we are humbled to give of our time, talents and treasures through our International Program, “Family Strengthening”, to help the less fortunate, and we are honored to be a partner in fighting hunger,” Davis Gilmore said.