Security Service Charitable Foundation on Nov. 30 donated $2,500 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Antonio with the money going to provide food and transportation services for 35 local families, a news release said.

Ronald McDonald House Charities operates three houses in the San Antonio area and serves as a home away from home for families with seriously ill or injured children who need access to medical care from specialized doctors, hospitals, and other medical facilities, the release said.

The organization serves more than 1,500 families a year. More than 85% of the families served are from the South Texas area, while the rest of the families are from other areas of the country.

Travis Pearson, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Antonio, said families with a child who needs to receive critical medical services have enough to worry about.

“This generous donation allows these families to focus on the well-being of their child while everyday necessities are being cared for by our organization,” Pearson said.

The release said many families using the Ronald McDonald Houses in San Antonio come from low-income households and do not have adequate transportation to travel to and from local hospitals. Many of these families also do not have the means needed to stay at a hotel or eat out for weeks, the release said.

Clarissa Rodriguez, vice president of corporate communications for Security Service Federal Credit Union, said Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Antonio not only provides families with food and transportation, but it also provides them with a place where they can find emotional support and interact with other families facing the same challenges.

“Being able to alleviate some stress for these families during difficult times is something our organization is happy to support,” Rodriguez said.