With looming layoffs, scarce work, and increasing cost of living expenses, many families are forced to cut back.
That's especially true this time of year, and often, the first expenses to go are gifts and holiday feast celebrations.
But one San Antonio family says their prayers were answered when the KENS-5 cameras came through their front door.
Times are tough for Cesar Rendon's family but he still tells his wife and children that hard work and determination will pay off.
"God opens doors for us, but we must know how to respond to those open doors by being true," says Rendon in Spanish.
The family moved to the United States with plenty of hopes and dreams, leaving behind the poverty and despair of his hometown, Nava, Coahuila, Mexico. "God will not abandon us, he won't stop from giving us what we need," says Rendon.
The family patriach says they have a long road ahead to realize their American dream, and the shaky economy has only made it more difficult.
"Gas [is more expensive], bills, and recently we just moved homes," says Rendon of their living expenses.
As the sole breadwinner of the family, his modest income as a landscaper barely gets them by.
And paying more for utilities, food and rent has stretched them more than they ever imagined.
That's why when we walked in with a three-hundred dollar check for them to use for Thanksgiving day groceries, the family was overwhelmed. "Thank the Lord," said Rendon as he smiled and clapped along with his family.
The family says they had prayed for God's help during the holidays, and that this was His response.
"Thank God, and thank you all, God knows everyone's personal situation," added Rendon.
