SAN ANTONIO – In less than a day. the City of San Antonio has raised more than half of its $110,000 goal to aid in the support of asylum-seeking migrants passing through San Antonio, officials announced Friday.

  • Announcement for donations was made Friday
  • Greehey Family Foundation donated $50,000
  • City Council has designated funds

The announcement after the call for donations was made following City Council’s unanimous approval of up to $141,000 in funding to help with the influx of migrants.

The Greehey Family Foundation kicked off the campaign by contributing $50,000 towards the goal.

Individuals interested in donating can do so by visiting this website.

“Bill Greehey and the Greehey Family Foundation have always been pacesetters when it comes helping the San Antonio community, and this public-spirited gift to assist the humanitarian work with asylum seekers is another inspiring example,” Mayor Ron Nirenberg said.   

City Council authorized two allocations from the general fund contingency. The first for $86,000 will be split between Catholic Charities, the Food Bank and Travis Park Church to continue to provide support, food and sheltering through the end of June.

The second allocation for $55,000 will match community donations to these agencies on a 1 to 2 basis. For every two dollars of community support, the City will match one dollar up to the $55,000 with the goal of raising an additional $110,000.

“There is a clear humanitarian need for us to help this influx of people and I am proud of how quickly our community has stepped up,” City Manager Erik Walsh said. “San Antonio will continue to respond to these asylum seekers in a compassionate and caring manner as they travel through our city.”

Since March 30, approximately 8,000 asylum seekers, mostly families with young children, have traveled through San Antonio. Migrants are here legally and are allowed by the federal government to travel within the United States.

The City of San Antonio has inquired about possible reimbursement by the federal government of any local funds spent.