Local Catholic parishes and schools gave their Halloween treats to the vulnerable children in Tijuana, aiming to make the children's Christmas happier.
The Southern Cross website reported that 53 local Catholic churches worked together in the annual Christmas food distribution at Casa de Los Pobres in Tijuana. They added that there were nearly 1,700 marginalized families at the center.
Candies as Blessings
As further noted, the churches collected 3,550 quart-size bags of candies or 1.78 tons of candy this year. They also mentioned that parishioners also gathered 16 boxes of dental items and 11 boxes of food supplies.
In addition, they stated that the churches and schools had gathered a box of toys and new blankets for families at Case de lost Pobres.
Moreover, the website revealed that the Notre Dame Club of San Diego had assisted the St. Brigid parishioner Caroline Kelner with the yearly candy collection since 2006.
More importantly, they emphasized that on Nov.20, there were nearly 70 volunteers gathered in the backyard of Kelner’s house to arrange and pack the candy. They added that they were working in shifts.
The donations were delivered to Casa de Los Pobres on Nov. 22 and 23, as reported on the website.
Casa de Los Pobres
According to the Casa de Los Pobres website, their name means “House of the Poor” in Spanish. They said Franciscan Sisters in the Colonia Altamira community of Tijuana, Mexico pioneered that center in 1957.
As further highlighted, Casa de Los Pobres has helped the “poorest of the poor” in Tijuana for over 50 years. They explained that these families have nothing more than shacks with cardboard walls that do not secure them from cold or rain.
In addition, the website reported that the families treat blankets as valuable possession. Also, they added that they desire to have tarps for each family in the rainy season.
The website mentioned that people could not pass the roads in some places because of large ruts and mud. This condition made the people stuck without food for days, as revealed on the website.
More importantly, the website said those who go to the Casa’s door are sick, hungry, afraid, and cold. But, they stressed that these individuals are humble and hopeful to survive.
Works of Casa de Los Probes
On the same website, they highlighted that Casa offers low-income families a healthy breakfast every morning. They usually provide meat with beans and rice, oatmeal and milk, and always hot tortillas, as added on the website.
According to the casa, for most parents and kids, this breakfast could only be their meal of the day.
Meanwhile, the website also emphasized that at the casa, they hold a “Bodega Day” wherein they give out bags of groceries once a week. They added that they also distribute clothes from donations at Casa.
Moreover, Casa de Los Pobres also gives other home supplies and hygiene kits like toothpaste, shampoo, and different basic needs, as noted on the website.
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