“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was homeless and you took me in.”

Matthew 25:35

Those whom the Casa serves are destitute. 

People in line at CasaThe people live in drafty shacks that areinfested with rats and other critters. They often experience the trauma of empty stomachs, cold nights, insecurity, and premature death. And their needs are great in this time of COVID-19. Continue reading

Urgent Need for Non-Perishable Food Now!

Can you help us in this most-urgent time of need? 

Sister Armida says the Casa is out of food. Many more are coming to eat during the coronavirus crisis, and the Sisters are having difficulty keeping up with the demand.

Our drop-off location at 6432 Cardeno Drive, La Jolla 92037 hasn’t received any food or other donations for at least two weeks.  Can you help us during this urgent need for food?

We specifically need:

  • Tuna, peanut butter, canned milk, tomato sauce, canned vegetables, assorted pasta

Your donations can be left outside the door at 6432 Cardeno Drive. If you don’t want to personally shop for these items, you can have them shipped directly to our drop-off address.

Thank you for your generosity during this crisis.

“Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor”

Psalm 22:9

“Alberto, 32 years old, and Cristina, 28, live in a suburban colony distant from the city of Tijuana. Their conditions of living are very poor. They have a boy 3 years old, and recently a baby girl was born premature. The father is a mason worker and earns very little to support the family. The newborn baby, Rosita, was in the incubator for a month, had intestinal surgery, then eye surgery.

“The couple came to the Casa in tears, telling their story. Because of the care for Rosita, both take turns to care for her, so the father cannot go to work. They are so desperate and sad. Alberto has been begging to have money for transportation to and from the hospital, trusting in Divine Providence so they can have something to eat. Now the baby is at home after the second eye surgery, and they need eye medication. Continue reading

“A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.”

quote from Pope Francis

“Sergio Z. is 19 and currently studying and working part-time. He is very thankful that the Casa de los Pobres is helping and supporting him with food and scholarships. He wishes to thank the Sisters who have helped him and his family, to the Casa volunteers, and to the Father who is always helping everyone. He thanks all of the benefactors for their help! Sergio hopes to be able to continue with school and one day, give back to others.” Continue reading

Jesus is the Face of the Poor

2 kids with Christmas toysTHANK YOU FOR HEARING THE CRY OF THE POOR!  May God bless you for your generous donations to help those living in the slums of Tijuana during this holy season.

You made Christmas a time of JOY for our brothers and sisters in Christ who endure harsh poverty. Those who receive the Christmas gifts have nothing. They live in the dumps on windy hills, and have no running water. Electricity is scarce, delivered via extension cords strung from house to house. Men, women, and children suffer from malnutrition and lung diseases caused by the continual breathing of polluted burning garbage fumes. Continue reading

“Blessed are the poor; the kingdom of heaven is theirs.”

Luke 6:20

“Senora Virginia S., a widow of 52 years old, comes to Casa de los Pobres. For many years, she worked frying pork. The heat so affected her eyes, that she is totally blind. She never saw a specialist. Her youngest daughter Ruby is 14 years old and in the 7th grade. After school, she works in a grocery store and earns $3.00 US per day. After this, she prepares dinner for her mother and then does her homework. What worries Virginia is not having enough money to give her daughter Ruby food to eat and help her go to school. The house where they live is located at the railroad tracks invasion location, is made of wood, and doesn’t have electricity or running water. We are sending Virginia to see an eye specialist, and we are providing school aid for Ruby. They are very grateful!” Continue reading

“No good is ever done without some cost and pain to the doer.”

Bishop Fulton Sheen

From grateful children who received school supplies on distribution day, Hector writes: “I want to express how thankful I am for the support you have given us today, thank you for all the school supplies and the backpack. It is really helpful to us, especially to my dad since he lost his job and cannot afford all the school expenses. May God bless you everywhere and every single day and multiply all the blessings that you have given us today. Thank you so much.”

“Thank you so much for helping me with school supplies. We are a low income family and this is helping us so much, especially to our kids because they were given all the materials to keep studying, learning, and become better persons, and to be prepared for the future. Thank you, God bless.”  Miguel R. Continue reading

“Support the weak, be patient with all; seek to do what is good for each other and for all men.”

Thessalonians 5:14-15  3 scholarship recipients

Sister Armida writes about the children who receive help from the Casa: “Little students who may not have electricity to do their homework go out to sell candy, donuts, flowers, help make bricks, collect in the dumps, and often cry because they are hungry.”

“It is amazing how some of these children are able to get good grades and keep up in school, as the tendency is to leave the classroom and go out to work so young. Some mothers are handicapped, some grandparents are taking care of the children.  Many mothers are sick, or work cleanng houses or caring for the young children.” Continue reading

“He gave freely to the poor; his righteousness will endure forever.”

From 12-year-old Rubi, whose mother died when she was two, and her father is unknown.  A good neighbor adopted her and her brother.  They are poor, humble, and HARD workers.  “I want to thank the Sisters and everyone that forms part of Casa de los Pobres for all the support through all these years. Thank you for everything that I have received such as shoes, food, and apparel. I am beyond grateful to you. Thanks for not only helping me but also many more people. I have done my Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation here, and now we’re a big family that will never disappear. People are really grateful for all the support we get from the Casa. Thank you so much for everything.”  

How You Can Help

SPECIAL REQUESTS:  more school supplies, especially shoes and socks.  Continue reading

“If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him?”

1 John 3:17

Help Break the Cycle of Poverty with SCHOOL SUPPLIES!

For the remainder of July, the Sisters request School Supplies for the children: 

  • notebooks, pencils, pens, book bags
  • socks, new shoes

Your donations can be dropped off at 6432 Cardeno Drive, La Jolla 92037 in July only (the truck doesn’t come in August) or at All Hallows Church on La Jolla Scenic Drive South in La Jolla in July and August.

The Sisters encourage education along with vocational training. The Casa Scholarship Program (bus money, uniforms, and a small tuition) helps serious students attend primary and advanced schools.  For dedicated pupils, this always leads to a decent job which breaks the vicious cycle of poverty.  Many of the students eat breakfast at the Casa and travel to school with full stomaches and clear heads. Continue reading