Operation Feed, an organization that has quietly been taking weekly packages of food to aid the neediest in San Juan Cosala for many years, sees the need to grow. Instead of the precious packages of food to the 75 families already on their list, volunteers would like to add another 25.
San Juan Cosala native Juana Gonzalez Casillas, 35, and her husband Eduardo Verdio Lupercio, 39, are a typical couple. He works as a gardener in the Raquet Club and feels fortunate that he has regular work, but still finds it hard to support his 13 children, aged from four months to 20 years of age.
The family lives in a lean-to with old sheets of plastic for walls and old pipe and plastic for a roof. Seventeen sleep in two tiny rooms. The family cooks, eats, and lives on the open earth around their house when not sleeping. Maria (the eldest daughter) along with her husband and child live with Juana and Eduardo. Mario (the eldest son) wants to be a physician. He is working for the water company delivering water and is saving money for his education but the cost of education is much greater than he is able to make at his job. Agustin Vasquez, owner of the Viva Mexico Restaurant, is working with a charity in Chapala to try to make Mario’s dream come true.Juana and her husband strongly believe in education and all of their children have remained in school. The parents believe education is the key to their children having better lives than they do.
Juana and her family receive a weekly food package from Operation Feed. This assistance greatly helps Juana and Eduardo fulfill their desire to keep their children in school and not be forced to make the children quit school to work and help buy food for the family.
Besides providing food for the needy of San Juan Cosala, Operation Feed is having a clothing drive for families there.
“We always have a high demand for all sorts of children’s clothing and shoes, but also need clothing for the entire family,” says volunteer Cheryl Kennedy. “Wheelchairs, walkers and any medical or home care aids will be put to good use, too.” They also need hangars for the clothes. The clothes will be given out on May 23 in San Juan Cosala.
Every dollar you donate to Operation Feed goes to buy food and support families who are trying to improve their lives.
To get more information and to make food donations, contact Weezie Burgess at (376) 766-2830. Cheryl Kennedy (376) 765-3306 and Cindy Peters-Zeier (376) 765-2603 will be happy to make arrangements to get clothes from you. You can also e-mail them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..