CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — With a new stimulus bill on the horizon, Americans will be receiving some economic relief as early as next week. For some Coastal Bend residents, that aid is crucial.
“For me personally, well I can pay some of my late bills," said Tomasa Alonzo. "It would help me a lot, like I said, paying my bills. Especially now, that we can not do anything outside of home.”
Melinda Flores recently became disabled, and while she received the first stimulus package, she is unsure if she will be able to receive the second bill.
“There’s nothing we can do about it, and if that check is going to come in, that’s a blessing, that will go towards some bills,” she said.
Flores lives in a household with other family members, and she said the pandemic has been hard on her family.
“God knows I want to work, but I can’t,” she said.
Others in Flores’ family are also out of work, and the holidays will be tough for the family.
“It is a blessing, we need it right now. Especially with the kids, I’m not going to be able to give them anything for Christmas,” she said. “I told my granddaughter, ‘I’m not going to be able to get you anything for Christmas,’ she said, ‘grandma, all I need is your heart.’”
However, the announcement and subsequent distribution of the stimulus package will help her family.
“It’s hard, it is, and this is going to be a blessing. $600 doesn’t go much, but a little bit helps,” Flores said.
Alonzo said there are people who need the stimulus package more than her, and some of them might be too proud to ask for help, but it is important to accept the help.
“A lot of them will not say ‘I need it’ because they’re embarrassed, but don’t be embarrassed to ask for help. This plan they’re going to give us all is very, very important,” Alonzo said. “Accept it, take it, don’t be ashamed.”
The Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi offer assistance to people in need of help, including a food pantry open Monday-Thursday.