PUNGOTEAGUE, Va .- A local food pantry in Accomack County is planting seeds of kindness and serving the migrants families that work the fields every season.
Dos Santos food pantry, a ministry of the churches of St. George's Parish. in Virginia's Eastern Shore, is a partner agency of the Foodbank of Southeast Virginia and the Eastern Shore. The project started about five years ago. Their goal is to provide fresh produce, personal hygiene products, and food in general to the migrant workers
"We are not only trying to grow the food. We're also trying to grow the community and the people in it," explains Raquel Ruiz who runs the garden.
"Here's kind of giving back to those people who are out there doing this. They don't get to have fresh fruit or produce of their own they're always doing it for somebody else," says Ruiz.
Ruiz knows first hand the needs of the migrant community. She grew up in the area while her family worked in the fields, and now is making a difference with Dos Santos garden and pantry.
"Since I was I kid, this was one of the dreams that I had, to give back and help these people. Because we did this, we do this all of the time. This was our lifestyle."
Angelica Garcia, who started the initiative, is glad to see it grow
"We started with just a little pantry, and now we have churches from all over the Episcopal diocese shop for us. We also have volunteers who donate food and their time," says Garcia.
Garcia, who is also an artist, says they not only try to provide food but to offer a more welcoming environment for the workers.
"We want them to feel welcome, and for them and the families to be part of this community," says Garcia.
Once a month the pantry offers the workers the food the harvest and collect. They also bring it directly to the fields since some of the families don't have the means to make it to the church.