DALLAS — Loss knows no strangers.
“As of 2022, last year, I lost my mother in early January. After that, I had surgery on my back so I’m learning how to walk again,” said Julio Treminio, a Dallas resident.
“It got to a point where my brother was with me, but he moved out and left me. I was stranded basically with no cash and I needed food," continued Treminio.
Navigating life on his own, Treminio does not dwell on the losses but rather the gains.
“My mother, she went through so much. She went through all these conditions, all these ailments, all these negative things in her body; however, despite everything that she went through, she kept telling me to just stay positive son,” Treminio said. “Push yourself to improve. Learn something and don’t give up.”
Every two weeks, that is what Treminio does at Aunt Bette’s Community Pantry. The facility is part of St. Philips School and Community Center in South Dallas.
“Everyone is struggling not just with food but resources in general. Places like this motivates us to keep going,” said Treminio.
It is not your average pantry.
“Here, you shop. It’s an experience,” said Dr. Terry Flowers, Perot Family Headmaster. He helps run the school and center. Dr. Flowers said since the pantry began about 35 years ago, it went from a closet space, to a space in an old liquor store, to now it’s own facility.
“We’re now taking on an additional zip code for serving our pantry,” said Dr. Flowers.
The pantry has increased by roughly 200 additional families.
“We’re not just providing support for hunger and security. We’re actually assisting families to be able to pay their bills,” said Dr. Flowers.
For the Thanksgiving holiday, the pantry added a food drive and served hot meals to area residents.
“Hunger is like the rising of the sun. Just as sure as the sun comes up in the morning, somebody is going to be hungry,” said Dr. Flowers.
At Aunt Bette’s, you leave full.
“Not only do I get groceries, but I also get life advice," Treminio said. “It is a group of strangers, but when we’re here, we’re bonding.”
It is a bond over gratefulness and paying it forward.
“Now, I want to do what I can to improve, so that I can help others and do the same thing my mom did for me,” said Treminio.
The pantry services area codes 75210, 75203, and 75215. For more information on how to volunteer and sign up to receive assistance, click here.