As a City of Helotes Council Member, I was honored to speak at the 6th Annual Alliance of Community Churches Summit, presented by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Helotes Conference.

This meaningful gathering brings together SVdP volunteers and church leadership from the Alliance of Community Churches for a morning of fellowship, collaboration, and shared purpose. The Summit highlights their collective community impact and creates space to discuss new ways to serve our neighbors in need.

Hosted this year at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the event reflected the power of faith communities working side by side for the good of Helotes. Other guest speakers included Bishop Johnnie Davis, Meg Rulewicz, and Brennen Ricks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Eric Cooper, President and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank; James and Shellie Malik of SVdP; and Ryan Loyd of the City of San Antonio – Municipal Government Workforce Development.

For more than 30 years, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Helotes Conference has operated a local food pantry, serving families with compassion and dignity. Their work is made possible through the support of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Helotes, the San Antonio Food Bank, and the Alliance of Community Churches, whose members organize food drives and provide financial support throughout the year.

Helotes is stronger because of partnerships like these — faith in action, neighbors helping neighbors, and a shared commitment to care for our community.