The past month has brought about many changes for Puerto Vallarta and the whole Banderas Bay area. Thousands have been impacted by little no tourists resulting in massive lay offs, no income, no tips – sort of a “domino affect” leaving hard-working locals struggling to make even the basic needs met for their families. It is now time for us all to step up to the plate and help out.
Updated August 3, 2009
Probably for the first time in history, a charity seeking donations has said, “Thank you, we now have enough money for this project.” As of this date, this food bank is no longer soliciting donations. This project was to run through September and we already have enough food to cover distribution. thank you again.
In conjunction with Puerto Vallarta DIF (Social Services)/Child Protective Services, we are beginning what we hope to be, a summer-long assistance program providing food packages. These packages will be distributed via Social Services only to as many as possible, for as long as possible via their various programs. The next few months will bring even more need as we head in to the summer months and “low season.”
Each package consists of:
- 1 kg Beans (dried, packaged, not canned)
- 1 kg Rice
- 1 kg Lentils (dried)
- 24 Bouillon Cubes (consume cubes)
- 1 kg Pasta (dried, soup pasta, packaged)
We ask that people donate one, all, one case, two cases – – whatever they are able to this Food Drive.
Thanks to the kind support of the local community and business owners, we have developed several drop off points for your convenience.
SOUTHSIDE/ZONA ROMANTICA
- PVRPV
- Piño Suarez #210, Corner of Francisco I. Madero and Piño Suarez
- Contact: Armando Sanchez
- 222 0638
- armando (at) pvrpv.com
MARINA VALLARTA
- The Coffee Cup
- Condos Puesta del Sol, Local 14A
- Contact: Chris Benson
- 221 2517
- Cell: 044 322 116 9577
- chris.benson (at) prodigy.net.mx
WHERE THE FOOD IS GOING:
The Head of Child Protection Services in Coapinole runs prevention programs for children who are at risk. The following children attend a group session EVERY WEEK in the following areas:
- Pregnant Teens – these young girls are between the ages of 11-18 who have one or more child (ren); the program provides sexual education and an opportunity for the Health Department to monitor these young mothers and their babies. They provide vaccinations, other health and hygiene talks. There are currently 82 girls in the program.
- Working Kids – these are the children who bag food in the supermarkets, sell flower and gum, clean buses etc – there are currently 146 kids in the program.
- 10-14 program are children between the ages of 10-14 that have been excluded or have never attended primary school – an open school is run in Coapinole – there are 42 kids enrolled in this program.
- Kids who have parents in prison who are living with relatives – there are currently 56 children enrolled in this program.
- Kids at Risk – there are currently 349 children listed who DIF believe will end up on to the streets next
There is NO OVERHEAD! New Life Mexico is coordinating this effort through child protection services and all the extras like buying bags to put the food in, etc, are being paid for by them. The first distribution is on Monday, June 1. Every child is registered at DIF and on the “at risk” register.
Should you have any questions at all, please contact Pam Thompson, HealthCare Resources Puerto Vallarta, at:
Banderas Bay is our home and we must band together and take care of one another! We look forward to your donations!
DELIVERY #1:
$4600 pesos worth of food delivered May 24, 2009.
DELIVERY #2:
$6520 pesos worth of food delivered May 28, 2009.
DELIVERY #3:
$7280.53 pesos worth of food delivered June 1, 2009.
DELIVERY #4:
$8,578 pesos worth of food delivered June 5, 2009.
DELIVERY #5:
$3,298 pesos worth of food delivered June 18, 2009.
Armando Sanchez, Tim Longpré, Philippa Vernon-Powell, Hugo Oregon, and Pam Thompson (the people organizing this effort)
Rick, JR, Sarah, Joe, representing the donations from the members of the VallartaScene Forum)