I work as a volunteer at my church social ministry / pantry on Long Island. I do intakes. Not so many central Americans as there were a few months ago. Now a flood of South Americans. Venezuela and Bolivia mostly. They have Homeland papers. Some have fled Texas, which is unbearable, to live in basement rooms with other families. They have no warm clothing so we give them what we have along with vouchers for the St Vincent de Paul shop a few towns away. They can get food once every 30 days and we give them a list of other pantries nearby. No one is being deported. I don't know what they left, but life is no picnic for them here. At the end of each of my four hour shifts I am mentally and physically exhausted. The volunteers are in our 70s. 80s and one is 96. My faith keeps me going. I come home to my warm, comfortable home and think about them at night. It's overwhelming.

I work as a volunteer at my church social ministry / pantry on Long Island. I do intakes. Not so many central Americans as there were a few months ago. Now a flood of South Americans. Venezuela and Bolivia mostly. They have Homeland papers. Some have fled Texas which is unbearable to live in basement rooms with other families. They have no warm clothing so we give them what we have along with vouchers for the St Vincent de Paul shop a few towns away. They can get food once every 30 days and we give them a list of other pantries nearby. No one is being deported. I don't know what they left, but life is no picnic for them here. At the end of each of my four hour shifts I am mentally and physically exhausted. The volunteers are in our 70s. 80s and one is 96. My faith keeps me going. I come home to my warm, comfortable home and think about them at night. It's overwhelming.