More Than Meets The Eye

When you first arrive at the Southside Community Center, you think the building is probably abandoned. My first visit was on a Friday morning and all the doors were locked. There was no sign of life and I couldn't find any hours of operation. I decided to walk around the property to see if I could find anything. I peeked in one of the windows and I saw tons of chairs and tables stacked in the corner. "So what is this place all about," I said to myself. I figured if I came back a couple of hours later someone would have to be there. I came back around lunch time and I saw about fifteen people eating on picnic tables on the side of the building. I walked inside (the door was unlocked) and immediately could smell food cooking. In the kitchen there was soup on the stove and sandwiches on the counter. The Southside Community Center is a non-profit organization that helps out the less fortunate in the San Marcos area. The small group gathered around the picnic tables were mostly working men on their lunch break who came to get a free meal and see friends. Families also come to the center when they need help with food or clothing. The homeless even have a place here. Warm beds are offered to those with no place to stay. The Southside Community Center is constantly getting involved with the community. They offer a Thanksgiving feast every year, summer camps for children as well as various other activities.