Refuge of Hope

You know Karen and Grant Swanson through their work as “Food for Families,” delivering dispensas to Bucerians in need since the pandemic began. You know Bruce Pigott and Tequila Gardens for feeding thousands of our neighbours throughout the Covid crisis. You can bet that when they collaborate, it’s going to benefit the entire community. I can’t say it better than Karen, so I received approval to post two of her recent announcements:

We Have Exciting News To Share!

As we have been delivering emergency food bags in Bucerias for the past 10 months (note, now 11+), we have made many new friends in the poorest communities of town. While a bag of food will help for a few days, we recognize that there are real ongoing struggles, especially for single moms and their children. In order to serve the community better, we have formed a new charitable association – Refuge of Hope Bucerias A.C. and we have purchased a big, unfinished building on the edge of town to be a safe place where children will find a hot meal, educational assistance, care while mom goes to work and language & skills training. Where they will know they are loved. You can view our vision at http://www.refugeofhopebucerias.com

Announcing A New Partnership In Bucerias!

2020 was tough in our community – and 2021 seems like it is going to present more challenges for the families who depend on tourism to feed their children. Many community groups stepped up to provide food dispenses, hot meals, even food for the furry friends. As we hit the 1-year anniversary, many of us are wondering how we can transition from emergency provision into longer-term solutions. You may have seen the recent announcement that the Food for Families Group has purchased a building in the Javier Ovando neighbourhood with the intention to start a Community Center and possible Residential Shelter. Refuge of Hope. A place where single moms and their children will find help with food, education, skills training and spiritual guidance.

Our first initiative will be a Community Kitchen. Tequila Gardens have been feeding hundreds of hot meals every day for the past year. Over 1 million pesos worth of food. As of March 1st, Tequila Gardens will be partnering with and moving to the Refuge of Hope Center. This will allow Refuge of Hope to offer a full kitchen to serve the community on a long-term basis, as well as carry on the Tequila Gardens Food Program for the immediate future. The Tequila Gardens Crew will continue offering hot meals daily at the Refuge of Hope as well as their mobile distribution throughout the Colonias of Bucerias.

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How will COVID-19 restrictions affect our plans? What about donations – will they continue? What we are certain of is that with all the new restrictions, life for many is going to get worse before it gets better and together, we can do more. Sharing resources and vision will create greater opportunities. Thank you to the hundreds of donors who have supported Food for Families and Tequila Gardens over this past year. We are excited to continue to use your donations and your volunteer hours to touch the lives of our Mexican friends!

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