Pantry Group Holds Food Drive at Independence Hills Park
Laredo Pantry de la Comunidad collected more than 100 items to stock new pantries planned for District I.
Updated on Nov. 15, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Laredo Pantry de la Comunidad, a teen-founded nonprofit, held a food drive at Independence Hills Park on October 15, 2026, to mark a new location in District I. The drive collected around 150 items, including non-perishable food, essentials, baby products, hygiene products and pet products.
Why it matters
The effort adds a neighborhood-level food access point to Laredo, with items collected to stock two pantries planned for the park. The drive was held in collaboration with District I Councilmember Gilbert Gonzalez, linking the nonprofit's work to city-level community support.
The food drive collected around 150 items, with over 100 classed as non-perishable food, essentials, baby products, hygiene products and pet products. The report does not say how those items will be divided among the planned pantries or how long they will last.
The players
Laredo Pantry de la Comunidad
A teen-founded nonprofit that operates community pantries in Laredo and organizes food drives to supply them.
Gilbert Gonzalez
The District I Councilmember for the City of Laredo, who collaborated with the organization on the food drive.
The details
Students from Cigarroa and United South high schools will construct two pantries that will be installed in a wall near the Little Library at Independence Hills Park. The collected items will be used to stock those pantries, which the organization expects to open soon after construction is completed.
Timeline
October 15, 2026: Food drive held at Independence Hills Park to mark the new District I location.
Following completion of construction: Independence Hills pantries expected to open.
Philanthropy Landscape
Youth-founded food pantries have become a recurring model in Texas border cities, where student volunteers help build and stock community access points. This food drive extends that model by placing new pantries inside a city park in District I.
Residents near Independence Hills Park will have access to food and essentials through two pantries once they are installed. Anyone wanting to donate or find pantry locations can use the organization's website to check current options.
The takeaway
Community pantries depend on steady donations of both food and everyday essentials. Checking local pantry needs before donating can help ensure items match what families actually use.
Further reading
Explore more local giving stories in Philanthropy coverage across Laredo.
More information
Find current donation and pantry details on the Laredo Pantry de la Comunidad locations page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Laredo Morning Times.
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