Hispanic Heritage Month: FFTP, Vida Unida Unite Community Volunteers to Pack Backpacks for Children in Need
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Oct. 2, 2024) – In a display of unity and compassion, more than 100 volunteers lined up in Food For The Poor’s (FFTP) warehouse on Saturday to fill 3,500 backpacks with school supplies for children in the charity’s Angels Of Hope child sponsorship program.
The event, held in partnership with Vida Unida, a Spanish-language Christian radio station, was a key part of FFTP’s celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month.
The backpacks will soon find their way to children in Guatemala, Honduras, and Peru, where FFTP’s Angels Of Hope child sponsorship program provides care and support to children in need.
Saturday’s event brought together community members from various organizations, including Coconut Creek Vice Mayor Jackie Railey, Jamaican Women of Florida, Team Rubicon, and Parkridge Christian Academy, all eager to make a difference in the lives of children across Latin America.
Among the volunteers and special guests were Vida Unida co-hosts Myrka Dellanos and Sadiel Castro.
Dellanos spoke about the importance of churches and FFTP’s connection with the churches in helping others in need.
“Because they love God, they also want to do something for another person,” Dellanos said.
“Sometimes they don’t have the right venue or they’re looking for the place where they can unite and do something positive,” Dellanos said. “Food For The Poor is that group that we can unite with and do something amazing, not only for the people in the U.S. but in Latin America and the other countries. Unity really is our strength.”
Dellanos hosts the program “La Mesa Caliente” on Telemundo in addition to being the morning host of “Myrka en las Mañanas” on Vida Unida Radio.
Castro, originally from Puerto Rico, was one of the most popular announcers on Hispanic radio in Philadelphia, where he was a morning announcer for more than 13 years before becoming programming director. Today, he works for Hope Media Group in Houston and airs daily alongside Dellanos.
“I’m super happy to see all these incredible people doing this wonderful job for people in need in Latin America,” Castro said.
FFTP President/CEO Ed Raine emphasized the significance of the collaboration with Vida Unida.
“This partnership is a beautiful representation of what can be achieved when we come together for a common cause,” Raine said.
“These backpacks are more than just school supplies, they are a lifeline for children in need, a reminder that they are not alone, and that there are people who care about their future,” Raine added. “This is what Hispanic Heritage Month is about, celebrating community, unity, and the incredible potential we have when we lift each other up.”
Michelle Williamson, of the Jamaican Women of Florida, said her organization is always looking for ways to give back to the community. Earlier this summer, Jamaica was the recipient of an outpouring of support in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.
“We have a giving spirit, so it doesn’t matter who we’re helping as long as we’re able to help and serve, wherever the need is,” Williamson said.
Deslene Jarrett, of Parkridge Christian Academy, said the school is mission-led and focused on teaching students about other aspects of ministry including service and serving others.
“I absolutely love the fact that we’re celebrating all of the Latin American countries, all of the languages,” Jerrett said. “To be able to celebrate so many people on such a large scale is wonderful. Everyone is invited. Everyone is included. God’s hand is extended in so many different ways.”
Sponsors for Saturday’s event include Nando’s Shirts & Signs.
Learn more about how to sponsor a child in FFTP’s Angels Of Hope at foodforthepoor.org/angelsofhope
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry children and families living in poverty primarily in 15 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, water, medicine, educational materials, homes, support for vulnerable children, care for the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance. For more information, please visit foodforthepoor.org.
Michael Turnbell
Communications
954-471-0928
[email protected]
