The economic impact of COVID-19 has severely affected the rural communities surrounding Careyes, with many residents losing essential earnings. Fishermen and farmers are unable to sell their products for export or to local restaurants. Construction has continued in Careyes at 50% of normal staffing, and many private and public projects in the area have been put on hold, laying off maintenance and construction workers. Throughout the villages, the majority of restaurants, stores, and beach services have been shut down or lost huge amounts of revenue due to the quarantine and general stalling of the local economy. Much of our local population lives hand-to-mouth, so this loss of income leaves them unable to provide even the most basic necessities, including food and personal hygiene products, for their families.
In April, after consulting with the municipal government, our team determined that there were approximately 1,000 families in this area going hungry. The Careyes community stepped up to meet this urgent need, and we quickly met our original goal of raising 30,000 USD, funding two rounds of grocery deliveries by the end of May.
In the span of just over a week, we delivered essential groceries to 1,242 families in 12 local communities. Each donated bag of groceries included rice, beans, lentils, pasta, milk, cereal, fresh tomatoes, cookies, chocolate, salt, tomato puree, cooking oil, toilet paper, body soap, laundry detergent, and toothpaste – enough food and basic supplies to last each family at least two weeks.
This incredible effort was a true collaboration among numerous individuals and organizations. Fundación Sol Pacífico donated to the cause and also coordinated the donation and delivery of 1,000 kg of fresh tomatoes. The municipal government worked with us every step of the way to organize this effort; they also reached out to other developers in our coastal area to coordinate the donation of groceries to more than 2,400 local families.
We are already preparing the second round of 1,200 grocery donations, which will be delivered this week.