Where we come from
HP-CAN grew out of community assistance work historically offered through Baptist Temple. The church’s service to its neighbors reaches back to the Great Depression, when it provided food, clothing, and medicine to people facing hardship.
Over the years, that tradition developed through practical outreach, local relationships, and support from people beyond the congregation. The work adapted as the neighborhood’s needs changed.
In February 2026, Highland Park Community Assistance Network became a separate Texas nonprofit corporation. Recognition as a 501(c)(3) organization supports its purpose: sustaining practical assistance for individuals and families affected by poverty in San Antonio and surrounding communities.
Today, HP-CAN’s offerings center on a client-choice food pantry, a free weekly Tuesday community meal, and a thrift store whose proceeds support community assistance. Our community garden also contributes fresh produce to the pantry.