09-17-25
When the Uvalde CISD experienced a ransomware attack last week, the decision was made to cancel all classes for the week of September 15th. That meant that not only would parents have to figure out childcare for their kids, but they would also have to figure out breakfast and lunch meals for them. For some children it meant not having meals they counted on during the school week.
At first, Diana Olvedo-Karau, local community advocate, did not think much about the issue; she is retired and has no children attending school. But, over the weekend she began to see posts on Facebook from concerned community members. A post by Cheyenne Lea Mueller caught her attention. Mueller posted, “The Uvalde CISD schools are shut down this week due to a ransomware attack on its internet infrastructure. Everything is shut down. My question now is, how are we going to feed the kids? A lot of our children rely on their school cafeteria to feed them. Four days is a long time. Would anyone be willing to help me brainstorm?”
Olvedo-Karau was not sure what could be done but decided to go right to the school district to ask if they had a plan for feeding the children. She called Superintendent Chohlis directly and learned that the primary focus was getting the schools systems back online and the district did not have the ability to feed the children. What Chohlis could do was provide all the direct contacts needed to see who might be able to help feed the children.
Olvedo-Karau reached out to the San Antonio Food Bank, H.E.B., and the district’s contract food service, SFE. After lots of texts and phone calls on Sunday, and then more texts and phone calls on Monday, the H.E.B. Hunger Relief Team committed to sending their mobile kitchen and their troop of volunteers to feed our children Tuesday through Friday! Olvedo-Karau was also able to coordinate with Leo Flores with the Boys & Girls Club to have meals available for pick up by their staff, to feed the children registered in their program.
Olvedo-Karau saw a need and stepped in to help find a way to meet that need. Olvedo-Karau has actively advocated helping residents of the City of Uvalde and Uvalde County since returning to Uvalde in 2018. She regularly attends city, county and school board meetings staying informed on issues and sharing information with residents, to help keep them informed on issues affecting them as citizens and taxpayers.
Olvedo-Karau will be running for the Uvalde County Commissioner, Precinct 2 seat currently held by Mariano Pargas. She believes that the next best way to help her community is by getting elected to this position. A seat that will give her the opportunity to shape policy and make decisions that will help improve the lives of Uvalde County residents.
Olvedo-Karau is a native of Uvalde and serves on the board of the Empowerment of Community and Action Foundation (ECAF).
