2016 Christmas Distribution to 1500 Families in Tijuana, Mexico

Fifteen hundred families came via many bus lines or on foot from the hills and dumps to attend an early morning Mass. Some even arrived the night before and camped out in the street. 

A breakfast of cocoa and hot cinnamon buns was served to those waiting in line to receive the gifts. Humble men and women stood in line for hours to receive a chicken, a bag of beans, rice, oatmeal, sugar, tuna, canned milk, and fruit, along with a new blanket.  They were thrilled and grateful to receive this food and the other gifts, including shoes for the children.

Christmas Distribution at the Casa

The mission of the Casa is to glorify God through the works of mercy. The people did indeed glorify God and the Holy Family by their thankfulness and joy as they happily received their food, blankets, and a toy or a ball. The patio was decorated for Christmas, and a live Manger scene was created by bringing two or three animals from the City of Mercy Mental Hospital in Rosarita Beach.

The people enjoy the fellowship and comfort that the Casa offers. Women most often express their joy with tears.  Most of us have NO IDEA what it is like to live the way these people must live. They were sincerely grateful for these simple gifts, happy to share with others and to enjoy this festive Happy Day at the Casa with their friends and the Sisters.  To the men, women, and children who come to the Casa, it is “home” and represents a refuge, security, and love. “O God, you are my strength.”

Your Generosity Made this Christmas Distribution Possible for these 1500 Families

Thank you for hearing the cry of the poor!  You made Christmas a time of JOY for our brothers and sisters in Christ who endure harsh poverty in the dumps of Tijuana. Your generosity provided the 1500 bags of special food and a new blanket for 1500 families. The people were delighted to also receive oranges and applies in their bag of treats.  Christmas 2016 at the CAsa

In December, we received $24,919.37 from our regular donors for both monthly and Christmas help. We received $70,054.75 (total for both Nov. and Dec.) from our special Christmas appeal letter and other donors. That amount includes $36,568 from the All Hallows Church Advent collection and special letters. This money purchased the special food (chickens and shoes were donated) and blankets.  Thank you everyone!

Our check to Sister Armida this month will buy MORE BLANKETS, TARPS, food, and essentials for January. Words cannot convey how much we appreciate your generous giving and love for the poor in Tijuana who come to the Casa. The Sisters and people are grateful for your support and pray for your intentions daily.

The Sisters will be delivering more blankets, food, and some tarps and toys to several outlying Colonias that they help on a regular basis. The nights these last few weeks have been extremely cold and often wet. The need is never ending as you know by now. It is a good time to give:

  • TARPS, EXTRA BLANKETS, CAPS, SOCKS, and MITTENS

The Franciscan Sisters have been serving the destitute in Tijuana since 1957 through their soup kitchen, bodega (food pantry), roperia (clothing closet), medical clinic, and social service office. They reach thousands each week through their apostolate of LOVE — serving JESUS in the poor. We have NO overhead (only per-transaction PayPal and credit card charges) — everything we collect goes directly to help the Casa.

DECEMBER REPORT

  • 27,450 people of all ages served hot meals in the Dining Room
  • 975 General medical clinic, specialist consultations, and prescriptions filled
  • 2,370 bags of groceries were given
  • Many families received clothes and house supplies
  • 540 personally attended in Social Service Office
  • Home visits were made to families and the sick
  • Different groups came to do haircuts
  • 26 Scholarship aids were given