Galatians 5:14
“Mrs. Nely H., a widow of 65 years, came to the Casa de Los Pobres telling us she cares 
for her three grandchildren (Luis 11, Mary 6, and Javier 5). Their single mother has been in jail for 4 years. She came to ask for food, clothing, and school supplies for her grandchildren. Nely is in a house loaned to her, as she has no money to pay rent. She works in the dumps collecting recyclable materials in order to buy food. Nely is grateful for finding the Casa, and says she now feels more tranquil because she has found this place. She is more confident and will keep coming for help.”
Those whom the Casa serves are destitute, not merely poor. The people live in shacks that are often rodent-infested, and often experience the trauma of empty stomachs, cold nights, crawling vermin, insecurity, and premature death. The Sisters offer a ray of light and hope to many of these men, women, and children.
Can You Help with our Needs for this Month?
Sister Armida writes, “We are struggling very much to keep services going. Prayer is our strength to keep our faith deeper in God who provides for us all.” May we ask for:
- Bedding, towels
- Personal soap, laundry soap
- Staple food items (beans, rice, flour, sugar, peanut butter, canned tuna, powdered milk)
- Bottled water
The need for food is great. The women appreciate donations of fabric, threat, and yarn to make items they can sell. The Sisters always encourage the people to help themselves.
Jesus says in the Gospel, “The poor you will always have with you.” The thousands of people the Franciscan Sisters feed and care for at the Casa are these poor. Many cannot help themselves because of sickness, deformity, or old age. The Casa is their lifeline. Some who come to the Casa need only a few months of temporary help, while others are totally dependent. Those who come to the Casa do not choose this life! “There but for God go I.”
The Sisters not only provide food and medical attention, they treat every man, woman, and child with the utmost dignity, and provide jobs that enhance self-worth. The jobs provided are for the “volunteers,” and they work very hard at the Casa — in the kitchen, cleaning up, driving the trucks, sorting clothing, etc. These men and women are paid small wages and a weekly bag of food for their labor. This helps them to sustain their families and maintain their respect.
Thank you for your support!
Your regular donations help to provide for the needs of the destitute who come to the Casa
seeking food, clothing, and medical care. This month, we sent $17,943.76 to the Casa from 53 families, including $5,000 from a generous French couple. Thank you! Thank you! We wish to extend our deepest sorrow to Joe Lozano and family who just lost their beloved wife and mother Marilyn. For years, Marilyn was a generous supporter of the Casa as a school teacher and enthusiastic volunteer. She will be sorely missed!
PLEASE KEEP THE SISTERS IN YOUR DAILY PRAYERS. Prayer is an important part of this mission where God provides through us all.
May God bless you for your goodness to his poor during this holy Easter season
MARCH REPORT:
- 22,150 people of all ages were served hot meals in our Dining Room
- Many people received handouts of food daily
- 1,030 General Medical Clinic and prescriptions filled
- 3,000 bags of groceries were given
- 2,075 families obtained clothes and house supplies
- 515 people personally attended in Social Services Office
- Groups came to do haircuts
- 26 Scholarship aids were given
- 2 Trips to deliver food, clothes, and blankets to some poor neighborhoods
- Women’s Day Celebration Prayer
- 4 Lenten Retreats (for Children, Youth, Medical Staff, and Volunteers)