Got a call today from a young Hispanic man looking for food. He said they were 6 adults family looking for food. It appears he had come across our website Oasis de la Familia for families immigrating to Jacksonville, Florida. He explained that the family was fleeing for their life. Mario said they had recently come into the US legally but had no work, no transportation and spoke little English.
We immediately delivered some food for them but told them that this was only a hand up in their crisis. I explained they couldn’t just sit in their apartment and wait on something to happen. Mario explained to me that they were so frustrated because they wanted to work but couldn’t speak the language.
I offered to help them if they were willing to work. A storm had just come through the area and the Pantry had some trees down that needed to be cut and cleared. Mario told me they couldn’t drive because they never had a car back home in Columbia. Mario explained that they also had done labor work but knew nothing of working lawn equipment or chainsaws.
I knew that this hand up would have to include teaching Mario amd the others as well as offering them some work. We are so busy here as we are the Food Hub and warehouse for 5 food monthly distributions in Jacksonville feeding almost 4000 people per month. Seems like all we do all week long is pick up food, sort and store. The point is we don’t have extra time for teaching but we are committed to the task and thankful for the privilege to help others.
As of today, the family is doing well their English is getting better, Mario is learning to drive, and the others are learning to work with most maintenance and lawn tools. Success in this type of service to the community is measured in drops but I know it will go a long way. It certainly did with me and our family!
I want to take time to thank those of you that hold our hands up!