Loaves & Fishes of the RGV Prepares for 17th Annual ‘Threads of Hope' Style Show

(This article was written by Abigail Muniz-Garcia and was featured in the May 2025 issue of Explore Harlingen Magazine.)

84,418 meals served, $108,508 in financial aid provided through family emergency assistance, and 5,569 bed nights provided in the shelter. These are just some of the ways Loaves & Fishes of the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) made a difference in the community in 2024.

Loaves & Fishes of the RGV, a nonprofit organization that just celebrated 33 years in the community, offers food, shelter, job training and placement, and provides monetary and non-monetary aid to “those experiencing a life altering event that takes away their ability to afford the necessities of life,” according to their mission statement. 

Brenda Landeros, fundraising event chair and board member, wants to remind people what kind of impact Loaves & Fishes of the RGV has on the community.

“What I love about the program, what a lot of people don’t know is that Loaves and Fishes is not just for the homeless,” she said. “We help at-risk families, people that have jobs and just can’t pay the rent, people that don't have a meal.” 

One of the ways Loaves & Fishes can provide these services to the community is by conducting fundraisers such as their Style Show. The Loaves & Fishes 17th Annual Style Show is happening May 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Harlingen Convention Center. This year’s theme is “Threads of Hope.” 

Victor Rivera, executive director, invites everyone to take part in this event that helps support their worthwhile cause.

“Seventeen years ago, we had our first Style Show here at Loaves and Fishes,” he said. “It’s evolved over the years.”

During the event, local boutiques get the opportunity to showcase their clothing that is modeled by volunteers – both professionals and women that may have never been on a catwalk before.

“This event is so much fun,” Landeros said. “It empowers the women that participate in it.” She reflected on how women that have taken part in the Style Show have mentioned that it made them feel good. “The fact that it’s for a good cause, makes it even better,” she said.

The locally owned boutiques that will provide the clothing for the runway show this year are Callez Shop, Chic Stitch, Cita’s Boutique, KK’s Closet, and Luxe Boutique. Additional vendors will be part of the pop-up shop portion of the event.

“A percentage of the clothing sales will go to Loaves and Fishes, but it gives them (boutiques and businesses) an opportunity to showcase their clothing,” Rivera said. “There will also be a silent auction.”

Last year, the event brought in about $35,000 in funding for Loaves & Fishes. 

“These are tough times for many folks, and we understand… but the contributions do help support our agency,” Rivera said. “It comes with the meal, a show, the auction, and there will also be a photo-booth for people to take pictures and have fun.”

Kelly Cabrera, co-owner of KK’s Closet in Harlingen, said they’ve taken part in the Style Show for a few years now.

“I’m instilling those values in my (co-owner) daughter (Karly Deleon) … we always have to give back,” Cabrera said. “Anything having to do with kids and families, that’s where my heart is.”

For more information follow Loaves & Fishes of the RGV on Facebook or visit their website: https://lfrgv.org.