Real Life Community Outreach started as an initiative through groups part of River City Community Church, offering assistance with food, clothes and vocational training.

The overview

For around five years, Real Life Community Outreach has worked with the San Antonio Food Bank to distribute food to those in need.

Associate Director Willy Mayfield said every Wednesday the organization helps distribute 350-400 meals. On weeks where Saturday distribution is provided, around 600 meals are provided.

Mayfield said the organization is the largest distributor in the area for the San Antonio Food Bank. Nearly all of the food distributed is provided through the food bank.


Food is provided to anyone in need, with distribution limited to two families per car. Registration for food assistance can be done through the organization website, San Antonio Food Bank or by showing up to the food distribution.

“We have never had to turn someone away for running out of food,” Mayfield said. “The last car came through, and we have given everything we had, but we have never had to tell someone we can’t help them.”

To help with distribution efforts, the organization is raising funds for the construction of a 10,000 square-foot food warehouse. Mayfield said the facility needs around $2 million in additional funding before the project can be completed.
Volunteer packaging boxes
Volunteers help package boxes distributed, with most of the food being provided by the San Antonio Food Bank. (Jarrett Whitener/Community Impact)
Also of note

Alongside food distribution, the organization also offers clothing distribution, children’s camps and vocational training.


Courses offered included welding, HVAC, accounting and forklift certification. Mayfield said courses are also held on weekends and evenings to ensure people who have a job can still participate in the programs.

The costs for the training do not need to be made upfront, and the goal of the program is to help give people a stepping stone into the workforce.

“If [people] are struggling with food insecurity and financial challenges, we try to help them with vocational training to see if they can get their pay up, and maybe that helps them be more secure with food,” Mayfield said.

Learn more


Distributions are held every Wednesday and third Saturday from 9-11 a.m. For those in need of assistance, volunteers can help with on-site registration.

Clothing distributions are held every first and third Tuesday from 9-11 a.m., according to the organization website.