As the COVID-19 pandemic has penetrated our country, we have found it necessary to temporarily change our primary focus. We are now heavily involved in combating the hunger that has penetrated our neighborhood. Our area (Paridiso II, Zone 18, Guatemala City) is one of the most marginalized in a city known for its poverty. Almost no families in this area have more than one breadwinner in the home. They are all living “hand to mouth” or “paycheck to paycheck.”
When the virus struck, the government immediately shut down businesses. Thus, people lost their only means of earning a living and paying for food. In addition, food from the mountains not being able to reach the city because of travel restrictions caused more food distribution problems.
Our original response was stimulated by two events occurring simultaneously. As the crisis began to unfold, a growing number of individuals were coming to our door seeking food. As the situation got worse, we received a phone call from our friends at Cross Catholic International, asking if we would be interested in a grant specifically for providing food to the needy in our area. We immediately responded and received a grant. The photos below tell the story of our anti-hunger effort.
Food packages were prepared for distribution. Our first two distributions were to approximately 150 families each time.
From market to house, divided, repackaged, and distributed.
Father Tom's Mission 