HARLINGEN, TEXAS – November 11, 2025 – Baitulmaal, a Dallas-based international humanitarian organization, has awarded Loaves & Fishes of the Rio Grande Valley (LFRVG) two grants to provide hot Thanksgiving meals for families in need and strengthen the food pantry’s capacity to serve vulnerable households across the region.
The funding supports the “Harvest of Hope” Turkey Meal Project, which will provide hot, prepared Thanksgiving meals on November 25, 2025, to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity in Harlingen and Raymondville. The project is expected to serve approximately 760 meals to about 217 households, with on-site dining at the Bread of Life Dining Hall in Harlingen and to-go meals in Raymondville so families can celebrate at home.
A second award, the “LFRGV Capacity & Visibility Grant,” provides strategic operational funding to reinforce Loaves & Fishes’ administrative and program capacity while modernizing its digital outreach. This investment will improve efficiency, increase online visibility, and connect more people in crisis to essential services.
“Each holiday season, we see families who are struggling just to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table,” said Victor Rivera, Executive Director of Loaves & Fishes of the Rio Grande Valley. “With so much uncertainty about SNAP and other safety-net programs, Baitulmaal’s generosity means hundreds of our neighbors will sit down to a dignified Thanksgiving meal, and our organization will be better equipped to serve them throughout the year.”
The Harvest of Hope meal will be supported by 30–50 volunteers across both sites, including partners such as the Rotary Club of Harlingen, Walmart, Southern Careers Institute and other community groups. Volunteers will help with cooking, plating, serving, packaging and distribution. Outreach will include flyers and targeted social media to ensure families in need know where to find a warm meal and welcoming environment.
“Loaves & Fishes is a trusted community partner that meets people where they are with food, shelter and compassionate support,” said Elizabeth Sohail, Senior Manager of Domestic Programs at Baitulmaal. “By investing in holiday meals and year-round capacity, we are helping ensure that families in the Rio Grande Valley have somewhere to turn when they face hunger and hardship.”
The goal of the grant is to increase support for and expand awareness of services such as meal programs, shelter, food pantry and case management, ultimately reaching an estimated 4,000 individuals and 1,200 households over the project period.
“Strengthening our back-office systems and digital outreach may not be as visible as a holiday meal, but it is just as critical,” Rivera added. “This grant positions us to serve more people, respond more effectively and sustain our work for years to come.”
About Baitulmaal
Baitulmaal is an international humanitarian organization that partners with local agencies to provide life-saving, life-sustaining and life-enriching aid to underserved communities around the world, regardless of faith or nationality. Its programs include food security, water, health care, education and emergency relief. For more information, visit johnjanney.org/.
About Loaves & Fishes of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc.
Loaves & Fishes of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc. provides essential services—including meal programs, shelter, food pantry support and case management—to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, homelessness and economic hardship in the Rio Grande Valley. Guided by a commitment to compassion and dignity, Loaves & Fishes works with community partners to ensure that those in crisis can access the resources they need to stabilize and rebuild their lives.
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