William Temple Foundation aka "Willie T's"
Ministers to UTMB Students During COVID 19
Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Willie T’s has continued its support of local college students, though the program has changed to protect everyone’s health.
Before the virus outbreak, students gathered in Eaton Hall once a week for a meal cooked and served by volunteers in the building’s kitchen. Most made frequent use of the Willie T’s “study hall,” a quiet where they could read, research and recuperate away from the campus classroom environment.
Lately, though, the kitchen, dining hall and study room have been closed, and students drive by the west entry to Trinity Episcopal School to pick up a pre-cooked, pre-packaged meal every two weeks. Volunteers wear gloves, and their smiles are hidden behind face masks.
“We serve 40 or 50 meals every other week,” said Larissa Botik, Executive Director of the William Temple Foundation (aka Willie T’s). “We purchase them from local restaurants to help support the Galveston economy, and we work hard to keep everything safe for our students and volunteers alike.”
So far, food has come from Queen’s Barbecue, Gino’s Italian Restaurant, America’s Kitchen, Shy Katz and Sunflower Bakery.
Larissa W. Botik
Executive Director, William Temple Foundation
