Westside Community Unites to Restore Purloined Neighborhood Pantry
May 1, 2021 - Westside
Westside Community Pantry Theft. The community pantry located on the intersection of N. Hamilton and W. Houston St. serves area residents via an honor system. On Tuesday morning, the pantry including the portable storage unit housing the perishable items was taken. Photo: Amanda Lorraine Lozano.
By Amanda Lorraine Lozano - Staff Writer, San Antonio Sentinel
On Tuesday morning, Sylvia Mendoza woke up to an unpleasant surprise. Her neighborhood food pantry was completely wiped clean. Literally. A thief came the night before and carried the entire thing off, food, clothes and all. Not a trace remained.
Located on the intersection of N. Hamilton and W. Houston St., the Westside Community Pantry serves the barrio. Nonperishable foods, clothing, and other goods are available to those in need through a 24/7 give-or-take, open access honor system.
“I always knew it’s possible for it to happen,” Mendoza, founder of the Westside Community Pantry said. “I was hoping they’d feel bad that someone was taking away from what so many families and children and unsheltered folks were using. But it happens.”
When news of the perjured pantry hit social media, Westsiders came fourth with an outpouring of love; offering countless messages of support and food and monetary donations. Denise Lozano, a regular patron ---and handywoman--- is in the process of creating a heavy, wooden kiosk that cannot be easily taken.
A “chafita” shelf remains on site, for now.
“I got real upset looking on Offerup and Craigslist seeing if someone is selling it,” Mendoza said. “I got over it. A lot of people were really angry about it, and we are still receiving donations. It doesn’t look the same, and is definitely smaller but we’re still going.”
A “chafita” shelf currently remains on site where the previous storage unit housing perishable items for the Westside Community Pantry was before the theft. Photo: Amanda Lorraine Lozano.
The Westside Community Pantry opened last winter, serving canned food, ramen, and nonperishables. In time, Westsiders transformed it into a self-sustainable neighborhood marketplace of sorts. People began leaving clothes, shoes, electronics and more.
“It’s like a yard sale, but everything is free,” Mendoza laughs. “I think it’s been useful to see how the community has taken ownership and made it a regular thing. It’s definitely got a Westside twist.”
“A lot of [Westsiders] are a little too proud to admit they need help, or don’t know where to access resources,” Mendoza explained. “I noticed in the beginning people were like ‘who’s gonna leave things out, are they going to watch me?’ They don’t want to be seen. Over time, we’ve seen more people use the pantry. I think it’s good. There’s no stigma or shame asking for help.”
(Writer’s note: At the time I went for photos, there was indeed a patron there, and she was very shy about getting food. She allowed me to take her photo but requested I not show her face. I respected her wishes. She spoke only Spanish, and I am giving a rough translation of what she told me.)
One patron, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed her dismay at the theft.
“It astounds me how people can see that there’s something good here, and just take advantage of it,” She said. “There are a lot of bad people in the world, but that’s not indicative of how the rest of the neighborhood is. We appreciate what we have.”
Mendoza said she’s been touched by some of the gestures of shyer patrons. She finds jars of pecans or dollar donations in her mailbox, from those that want to express gratitude but don’t want to be seen.
“There are so many regulars that come. Puro Westside.” Mendoza said. “They talk about their struggles yet they’re funny and give back whenever they can. Folks have said, 'I took a lot last month, but I’m doing okay now, so I came back to help out.’”
More information on the Westside Community pantry can be found on their Instagram @Westsidecommunitypantry_SA. To donate to the Westside Community Pantry’s Go Fund Me visit here.
Amanda Lorraine Lozano is slowly returning back to her journalistic roots after a few years in hiatus. She loves being in the community and occasionally plays mariachi. Follow her on Twitter: @mariachimandi