Central America: Church feeds more than 213,000 during Day of Kindness and Compassion

November 10, 2008 – Guatemala City, Guatemala…[IAD Staff]

More than 213,000 of the poorest people throughout Central America were served a boxed dinner during Inter-America’s Day of Kindness and Compassion, an initiative organized by the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, on Oct. 11, 2008. The territory-wide event sought to promote benevolence toward the needy and promoting awareness of the United Nations’ World Hunger Day.

In the span of four hours, more than 100,000 boxed dinners were distributed in poor communities, in parks, and community centers throughout more than 700 congregations.

Thousands of volunteers joined in to participate in the special day. More than 80,000 meals were distributed in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.

In Nicaragua, thousands of meals were distributed. In Jinotepe, more than 3,700 dinners were distributed in its national park, where the needy were treated to haircuts, medical check-ups, musical concert and a children’s program.

In Tegucigalpa, Honduras, thousands of volunteers prepared and distributed more than 5,000 meals to needy communities and in parks, church leaders said. In addition, Adventist youth marched on the main streets of Tegucigalpa with big signs promoting awareness for those less fortunate and telling that there can be a solution to poverty if all join together in acts of kindness.

The church in El Salvador also took part in the Day of Kindness and Compassion, feeding some 25,000 people.

Church leaders reported that more than 3,000 received a special dinner during the Day of Kindness and Compassion.