Changes

The facility expanded into a permanent location downtown at 819 Hidalgo Street as a result of the donation of land by the family of Maria Bruni Leyendecker.  (1885-1968).<ref>Maria Bruni Leyendecker (1885-1968) - Find A Grave Memorial, accessed May 1, 2021.</ref> The main mission of the facility is to provide hot meals without charge to the indigent.<ref name=bethany/> There is also a Thrift and Vintage stores for clothing, the latter designed to provide higher quality outfits for the poor seeking employment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yellowbot.com/vintage-store-bethany-house-laredo-tx.html|title=Vintage Store, Bethany House|publisher=yellowbot.com|accessdate=May 1, 2021}}</ref> The soup lunch kitchen evolved into meal services three times daily.<ref name=bethany/> Bethany House offers extended services for home-delivered meals and for "Kid’s Cafes,", an outreach to children, mostly at public housing centers and at the Lamar Bruni Vergara Boys and Girls Club.<ref>Julian Aguilar, "To the rescue: Heartfelt pledges keep Kid Cafes open, add one," ''The Laredo Morning Times,'' December 11, 2008, pp., 1, 8A.</ref>

The facility expanded into a permanent location downtown at 819 Hidalgo Street as a result of the donation of land by the family of Maria Bruni Leyendecker.  (1885-1968).<ref>Maria Bruni Leyendecker (1885-1968) - Find A Grave Memorial, accessed May 1, 2021.</ref> The main mission of the facility is to provide hot meals without charge to the indigent.<ref name=bethany/> There is also a Thrift and Vintage stores for clothing, the latter designed to provide higher quality outfits for the poor seeking employment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yellowbot.com/vintage-store-bethany-house-laredo-tx.html|title=Vintage Store, Bethany House|publisher=yellowbot.com|accessdate=May 1, 2021}}</ref> The soup lunch kitchen evolved into meal services three times daily.<ref name=bethany/> Bethany House offers extended services for home-delivered meals and for "Kid’s Cafes,", an outreach to children, mostly at public housing centers and at the Lamar Bruni Vergara Boys and Girls Club.<ref>Julian Aguilar, "To the rescue: Heartfelt pledges keep Kid Cafes open, add one," ''The Laredo Morning Times,'' December 11, 2008, pp., 1, 8A.</ref>

In August 2002, Bethany House acquired a second nearby property to establish the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Resource Center and Emergency Shelter, named for a late philanthropic couple from Laredo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://airwolf.lmtonline.com/news/archive/042503/pagea1.pdf|author=Tricia Cortez|title=Bethany House dedication: Mayor [[Betty Flores]] takes over ceremony", April 25, 2003|publisher=''Laredo Morning Times''|accessdate=January 6, 2010}}</ref>

In August 2002, Bethany House acquired a second nearby property to establish the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Resource Center and Emergency Shelter, named for a late philanthropic couple from Laredo.<ref>Tricia Cortez, "Bethany House dedication: Mayor [[Betty Flores]] takes over ceremony," April 25, 2003.</ref>

Since a national [[recession]] began late in 2007, more families sought assistance from Bethany House, according to its then director, Barbara Kazen (1941-2011), wife of [.S. District Judge [[George P. Kazen]].<ref name=hunger>Julian Aguilar, "Help for the Hungry: Bethany House raises awareness of growing problem," ''The Laredo Morning Times,'' November 20, 2008, pp. 1, 13A.</ref> In November 2008, Laredo observed "National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week." Laredo [[Mayor]] [[Raúl González Salinas]] led a public march to draw attention to the plight of the needy: "Right now, we are living through very difficult times, but Laredo is a very special city. It's a city where those who have less are always willing to give the shirts off their backs to help others. We must get through this crisis. We must think positive."<ref name=hunger/>

Since a national [[recession]] began late in 2007, more families sought assistance from Bethany House, according to its then director, Barbara Kazen (1941-2011), wife of [.S. District Judge [[George P. Kazen]].<ref name=hunger>Julian Aguilar, "Help for the Hungry: Bethany House raises awareness of growing problem," ''The Laredo Morning Times,'' November 20, 2008, pp. 1, 13A.</ref> In November 2008, Laredo observed "National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week." Laredo [[Mayor]] [[Raúl González Salinas]] led a public march to draw attention to the plight of the needy: "Right now, we are living through very difficult times, but Laredo is a very special city. It's a city where those who have less are always willing to give the shirts off their backs to help others. We must get through this crisis. We must think positive."<ref name=hunger/>