On any given day, retired Navasota native Maria Almanza can be found exercising, meeting up with friends or lovingly caring for one of her four grandchildren. However, every year on the first Wednesday of December, Almanza selflessly and devoutly dedicates her time and energy to volunteering at the KBTX Food for Families Food Drive.
This annual event collects thousands of pounds of food to support families across Grimes and Madison counties.
“I learned about the food drive while working as a paraprofessional at Navasota Elementary, which is now John C. Webb,” Almanza says. “I have always wanted to help with programs since my children are now married. I wanted to find out what was the importance in giving to others.”
At the food drive, Almanza breaks down boxes, organizes food items and fills boxes with donations that will soon be sent to Grimes County food pantries—with donations eventually making their way to a home in need of a meal.
“Life is hard, whether young or old and in-between,” Almanza says. “And when packing items to be given in the time of need, one cannot help but think of how much good is going into the boxes of food to be shared. My parents instilled in us that it is better to give than to receive.”
Almanza now passes on the same generous attitude, rooted in her by her parents, to her daughters and grandchildren.
Mariana Almanza-Cook, one of her three daughters and the executive director of the Navasota Grimes County Chamber of Commerce, has always known Almanza’s giving heart.
“Growing up, whether it was Girl Scouts, soccer club or band boosters, my mother was always there with a smile and a little something extra—usually homemade and sweet,” Almanza-Cook says. “She is never concerned with what others may have, in fact, she is always thinking about what may be needed.
“My mother is a giver. She gives without hesitation or limitation. She gives because she is a kind person. It’s that simple, and it has been ingrained in her girls—work hard and be kind.”
Almanza isn’t the only one who has made the sacrifice to give. Last month, many others also made the decision to step up and help their community by donating food, money and time to the KBTX food drive. The hope is that this spirit of generosity continues to grow and inspire others.
“The food drive is a very good thing for everyone,” Almanza says. “What goes around, comes around—if a good deed is done, it will keep going forward. There is a lesson learned and a good feeling inside one.”
