Gabrielle Tellez
Managing Editor
With the food insecurity rate projected to rise by 5% this year in Bexar County, Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s General’s Store remains open to students and the local community.
Though the pandemic has changed normal operations, the General’s Store continues to distribute much-needed food items 2-6 p.m every Wednesday and by appointment inside Patriots’ Casa.
The General’s Store manager, Miguel Garcia, hopes to reach potential customers on and around campus who may be unaware of the free service, debunking the common misconception that the General’s Store only provides to individuals using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other food assistance programs.
“Demand for charitable food assistance has increased and is expected to continue to increase for the foreseeable future,” states Feeding America’s study released in March 2020, projecting the food insecurity rate to reach nearly 20% this year in Bexar County.
At a time in which San Antonio citizens continue to endure the negative financial effects of the Coronavirus pandemic, Garcia insisted that Bexar County residents will never be turned away from the General’s Store.
University students, faculty, staff and local residents can easily take advantage of the General’s Store’s free service by following a few simple steps.
According to the General’s Store website, new customers will be required to complete a First-Time Application Form at the front desk of the Patriots’ Casa. Once this is process is complete, customers are asked to check-in at the Patriots’ Casa upon every visit and fill out a Shopping List upon checking-out their groceries.
This Shopping List helps General’s Store staff members keep track of customer presence, inventory, and gives customers the opportunity to provide feedback.
“Our goal is to become a better-known name for all students, faculty and staff,” Garcia said in a Zoom interview Thursday, Sept. 3, “continuing to provide safe volunteer opportunities and train students on (hunger) awareness and advocacy.”
For more information, email foodpantry@tamusa.edu or visit tamusa.edu/mays/students/generals-store.html
