San Pedro Emergency Food Fund
Donation protected
There is a severe food shortage in the impoverished indigenous villages of San Pedro Itzican on the northeastern shore of Lake Chapala in Mexico.
Before COVID19, a program called FoodShare provided food assistance to the villages where an estimated 80% of children are malnourished. Food despensas (food packages) were given to 100 of the most vulnerable families, and an afternoon meal program gave 50 or more children a meal 5 days a week. FoodShare's weekly expenditure then was about 6,000 pesos ($260 US) a week.
When the COVID19 mandatory shutdown occurred, a food emergency developed quickly. Since most villagers spend one day’s wages on the next day’s food, when jobs suddenly stopped, villagers were without food. There is no fall back for families. No unemployment insurance, no food banks, no government assistance, no neighbors who have anything extra to offer.
FoodShare responded immediately. The need for weekly despensas has now surged to 2000 families at a cost of 90,000 pesos ($4000 US) a week. Every week 6 tons of food is delivered and then distributed to 12 locations over 4 days. The number of COVID19 cases is increasing in the area and unemployment continues. The food emergency becomes more critical the longer it lasts.
FoodShare is out of monetary reserves and needs help to continue to be a lifeline to the villages. The cost of one despensa to help a family for a week is about $2 U.S. So, a donation of even $10 helps 5 families get by for a week.
We greatly appreciate your donations! One hundred percent goes to buying food. Delivery and distribution are done by volunteers.
Before COVID19, a program called FoodShare provided food assistance to the villages where an estimated 80% of children are malnourished. Food despensas (food packages) were given to 100 of the most vulnerable families, and an afternoon meal program gave 50 or more children a meal 5 days a week. FoodShare's weekly expenditure then was about 6,000 pesos ($260 US) a week.
When the COVID19 mandatory shutdown occurred, a food emergency developed quickly. Since most villagers spend one day’s wages on the next day’s food, when jobs suddenly stopped, villagers were without food. There is no fall back for families. No unemployment insurance, no food banks, no government assistance, no neighbors who have anything extra to offer.
FoodShare responded immediately. The need for weekly despensas has now surged to 2000 families at a cost of 90,000 pesos ($4000 US) a week. Every week 6 tons of food is delivered and then distributed to 12 locations over 4 days. The number of COVID19 cases is increasing in the area and unemployment continues. The food emergency becomes more critical the longer it lasts.
FoodShare is out of monetary reserves and needs help to continue to be a lifeline to the villages. The cost of one despensa to help a family for a week is about $2 U.S. So, a donation of even $10 helps 5 families get by for a week.
We greatly appreciate your donations! One hundred percent goes to buying food. Delivery and distribution are done by volunteers.
Organizer
Kristin Killops
Organizer
Portland, OR
