Warwick Area Farmworker Organization volunteers deliver packages to farmworker families for the holidays.
Volunteer Kerry Schmidt Loads her car with holiday food packages going to migrant farmworkers and their families. Provided photos
Each year for more than 60 years, the Warwick Area Farmworker Organization/WAFO (formerly the Warwick Area Migrant Committee) has provided support to the farmworker community in our area, and 2021 is no different.
The holiday season is especially important to farmworkers who are generally away from their families. The Warwick Valley community continues to open its arms and hearts by offering support to families in need.
A generous donation from the Warwick Ecumenical Food Pantry has supported the purchase of special holiday foods for families. Many of the traditional foods that are not available through the food pantries were purchased and distributed to more than 75 families this week.
The special bags contained fresh tamales, a special food for Christmas, dried peppers, mole sauces and masa flour just to name a few items. The bags were then distributed to farmworkers through delivery last week and this week.
The gift of the foods that represent the Mexican culture of the farmworkers, was especially appreciated.
“Food evokes tradition and memories for everyone, and providing traditional foods contributes to a sense of comfort and peace,” said WAFO Executive Director Katherine Brieger.
The Warwick Area Farmworker Organization will continue to offer the special holiday food bags on behalf of the Warwick Ecumenical Food Pantry to begin the new year.
ShopRite supermarkets graciously donated 35 turkeys and 80 hot meals were prepared by the Warwick Church of the Nazarene. Garnet Medical Center nursing staff provided 25 bags of food for Thanksgiving as well.
“Volunteers and community support is the life’s blood of the organization,” Brieger said. “We rely on our volunteers for assistance with programs throughout the year and certainly during the holiday season, and we welcome community members who may like to contribute their time and efforts to this incredibly worthy cause.”
For more information and to see the full gallery of photos, from packing to distribution, visit: www.wafarmworkers.org.