By Mary Lou Hofmann | CAA Board of Directors
Food holds profound importance in people's lives, nourishing both the body and the spirit. Over the past several years, CAA members and friends, aware of this reality, have given generously to the ways we are supporting the food needs of our neighbors in our adopted community.
According to recent surveys, almost one quarter of Costa Rican households live in poverty and that often involves food security challenges. And when unexpected events happen, like a parent abandoning the family or losing their job, a family member becoming ill with a challenging disease, or their home being threatened by a flood or mud slide, those food challenges that individuals and families may be facing become even more extreme.
CAA has been proud to provide food assistance when needed to families in our education scholarship program and also on a monthly basis to the local orphanage so all students have the nutritional fuel needed to stay healthy, study, and do well in school. In addition, we also have provided financial support to local non-profits who, in addition to whatever their organization’s main focus is, attempt to care for the nutritional needs of their clientele by providing access to basic food items to maintain good health and/or to more costly, speciality food items needed because an individual has a medical condition that requires special food.
While food for the body is essential for life and health, food for the spirit is equally significant. A sense of belonging, cultural identity, and connection are all part of our experiences with food.
Working with a local non-profit, CAA provides the funding and participates in the effort to bring the Costa Rican Christmas tradition of making and giving tamales as gifts to those who could not afford to do it on their own. CAA members and non-profit volunteers, in a day-long tamale-making extravaganza, make 600+ tamales to be shared among local families and individuals so anyone regardless of their financial situation can experience the joy of this time-honored holiday tradition.
For children at the local orphanage whose budget is funded by the government, special light-hearted, fun experiences with food are not routinely able to be part of their daily experiences. As a result of CAA financial support, however, each child at the orphanage is made to feel special with their own birthday party that includes the traditional cake, ice cream and treats. Likewise, when the children are able to go on periodic local outings, CAA’s contributions allow them to enjoy some special treats like ice cream or pizza or special snacks. Not the best nutrition perhaps, but an important and memorable aspect of a positive childhood.
We appreciate CAA members’ and friends’ understanding of the multi-dimensional importance of food in all of our lives, and particularly in the lives of those who struggle with poverty. Likewise, we offer our thanks for their willingness to provide their financial support so we can help make a difference in the lives of those around us.
By Mary Lou Hofmann | CAa Board of Directors
By Mary Lou Hofmann | CAA Board of Directors
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