“I see the fear people try to hide when asking for help”

From Sr. Armida:  “Thank you for all of your efforts to support this place of endless needs and requests.  Begging is not easy.  I see the fear people try to hide when asking for help. God bless them — they are humble and innocent.  The needs of the poor are simple:  from baby formula to a handful of beans, from a tablet for pain to a wheelchair, from a plea of prayer for a sick person and to assistance for burial.”

How You Can Help

We asked Sister, “what are the greatest needs?”  Her answer:

  • Food (beans, rice, sugar, flour, peanut butter, tuna and other staple foods)
  • Blankets (do you have any old blankets you’re not using?)
  • Tarps
  • Over-the-counter Medicine
  • Warm jackets, warm sweaters, socks in good condition
  • Soap, towels
  • Extra citrus fruit you have from your yard

All used items are presorted by the Sisters at the storage unit in Chula Vista and transported in private cars — an arduous task.  Permits are required for everything, and used clothing is not allowed in the truck.  

The Casa Spreads Light and Warmth

People arrive at the Casa while it is still dark and cold.  This winter is especially cold and wet; breakfast lines are extra long. People start to arrive at 6:00 am, circle around the sidewalks outside the Casa, shivering while waiting for the gate to open.  They need blankets and food to warm them. The Casa is a place of refuge, spiritual solace, and friendship for the many men, women, and children who come here for help and support.

Thank You for Your Sacrifices

WE THANK GOD for all of you who donate money to feed the hungry people, and for your donations of blankets, tarps, food, and warm clothing.  We are always grateful for the blankets from Scripps ER delivered by Ron.

  • In December, we received many handmade blankets along with great gifts from St. Patrick’s Parish creative CCD classes!

These were distributed at the Christmas celebration to the delight of many.  This month, we sent Sister $18,923.55 from 67 donors, which includes $2000 from Kiwanis International Fund and $646 from All Hallows Parish.  Thank you!  Late Christmas giving was $7,000.  We received two large donations totaling $30,000 that will be spread out over the year.  New tarps and additional money for blankets were donated as well!  THANK YOU!

Thank you for your continued donations in these uncertain times. We are grateful for YOU.  The Casa is a real life example of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes.

We have no overhead, except minimal PayPal and credit card charges.

“God is in charge and we are His Helpers.”  Sr. Armida

MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY TO HIS POOR

JANUARY 2019

  • 21,560 hot meals were served in our Dining Room  (that’s more than 695 meals a day!)
  • Countless people received handouts of food daily.
  • 1,315 General Medical Clinic visits and prescriptions filled
  • 1,600 bags of groceries were given
  • 2,595 families received clothes and house supplies
  • 380 people personally attended in Social Service Office
  • Groups came to do haircuts
  • 26 Scholarship Aids to break the cycle of poverty.  Can you help?
  • 6 trips to the outlying colonias to deliver blankets and tarps