By Yvette Tello
Owners/Operators Maria Acosta and Luis Acosta of McDonald’s franchise and their team delivered 300 breakfast meals to Haven for Hope Shelter Staff last week to thank them for their dedication and for being on the front lines during this pandemic. Serving the staff was Maria Acosta, Luis Acosta, President Carlos Rodriguez of Ronald McDonald House, Supervisors and Manager from Blanco, and San Pedro Jesus Terrazas, Richard Gonzalez, Heather Arriola and Joann Casteneda.
Due to Haven for Hope COVID protocol, they required every person entering the campus to have their temperature checked. Any person with a fever, would be denied entry. They also gave everyone entering a mask to wear while on campus. In the boardroom, there was a kitchen area where staff came through the line one at a time and Acosta team passed out food to them practicing social distancing. Haven for Hope practices social distancing throughout the campus so the line was staggered.
Maria Acosta shared that at this time, each employee is given a free meal before or during their shift. Then, at the end of their shift, they are sent home with meals for the entire family.
During the time they were serving, an employee of Haven for Hope came in to share a very inspirational story: She was homeless for 4 years. During this time, she lived in the desert and had no one; no one except McDonald’s that gave her a means of communication to the world.
Every morning, she would go in and they would give her a free cup of coffee and allow her to use their wifi. They never ran her off or treated her badly. She said because she was able to use the wifi, she was able to access resources to get her the help she needed. She has now been employed for 5 years by Haven for Hope. Maria and her team were so touched by her story. We were all covered up with masks but their eyes said it all.
La Prensa Texas would like to thank the Acosta family and McDonald’s for all they do for our community.
