Rio Vista Center Rolls into the Future
Big things are happening for Rio Vista Center and Casa De Amor. Thanks to a grant from Feeding America through St. Mary’s Food Bank, Rio and Casa recently received a brand-new box truck—and it’s already making a big difference.
Both Casa De Amor and Rio Vista Center are ABCS Community Resource Centers. They serve families with food, clothing and other basic needs. Before receiving the truck, they were handling six weekly grocery store food routes operated by St. Mary’s Food Bank. Each route includes pallets from eight to ten stores with fresh produce, baked goods and other food items. As part of an effort to increase capacity, St. Mary’s Food Bank, through its partnership with Feeding America, awarded the truck to Rio Vista and Casa De Amor to support greater outreach across the valley.
More Food, More Families Served
Rio and Casa now receive eight grocery store routes each week. Four of those routes are handled directly by the team using the new truck. This shift has allowed the centers to bring in more food which means we are able to consistently serve the individuals and families who visit the centers. They’ve also strengthened relationships with local stores through direct pickups, creating opportunities for continued growth.
“The new truck ensures that we have the food we need to serve the families,” said Aaron Norwood, Director at Rio Vista Center. “We have increased our food to the community but also have become more self-sufficient regarding routes and store relationships.”
The Team Making It Happen
Two team members have played a key role in this transition. Walter, the full-time driver, and Erick, a part-time driver, begin their mornings at 3:30 a.m. on route days. They visit each store, sort and load food into the truck, and carefully restack it to make sure everything fits. It’s hard work and long hours, but they do it with care to ensure families have the food they need. After the food is dropped off, it is sorted and prepared for families by dedicated volunteers. It takes a whole team—drivers, staff, and volunteers—to make it all happen and serve families well.
Just the Right Time
The timing of this gift couldn’t have been better. As community needs have grown, so has the capacity to meet them. For the team at Rio and Casa, the new truck has been a clear example of God’s provision, arriving exactly when it was most needed.
This truck is more than just a vehicle. It’s a practical answer to prayer. It enables these centers to meet more needs, reach more families and plan for the future. With continued support, they hope to expand even further by adding one or two more grocery store routes.
The team is deeply grateful to Feeding America and St. Mary’s Food Bank for making this possible, and above all, to God for providing.