I have known Feed the Hungry projects since college days because my Aunt, Solita Magahum Wakefield heads their gift giving projects here in the Philippines. And as always, Bacolod is part of their itinerary. Bacolod City is close to my Aunt or to us family “Tita Tata”, because she grew up here, in Tangub near the shoreline. I can still remember their home pretty well, because when I was a toddler our family lived there too, when my Grand Uncle (Lolo Nacio) and Grand Aunt (Lola Inday), Tita Tata and Tito Leo (my Aunt’s brother) where then living in Manila already. Just to segue a little bit, it was a big property, I had my first birthday in their basket ball court, it had a boat house, the shore line was in abundance of sea food which my Mom would collect every week and coconut trees lined their property.
As what Tita Tata said in her speech when she was awarded 2010 Ten Outstanding Filipinos Abroad, to quote, “My little story started when I was growing up in Bacolod, where I was able to know the poor and the needy, because they were my friends, my playmates and they live in our land. We moved to Manila in college my friend and I realized there was more to just studying, going to soirees, and having the best jeans. We started visiting children in an orphanage and taking them to parks and museums and feeding them.”
1993 was the year Tita Tata joined FtH (Feed the Hungry) which was founded by then current president of the World Bank Group/International Monetary Fund Filipino Staff Association, Tessie Alarcon together with husband Pablito Alarcon. FtH became a non-profit organization that reached out to street children in the Philippines and provided them a good meal during the Christmas holidays. Today, FtH volunteers are involved in numerous projects that have assisted over a million program beneficiaries in Metro Manila and all of the provinces in the Philippines. Through partnerships and collaboration with government and non-profit organizations in the Philippines, FtH, continues to play a valuable role in assisting the poorest of the poor, providing resources for a better future for those in dire need, and giving hope to the needy. These volunteers, who come over to the Philippines to implement programs of FtH, also pay for their own fare and lodging.
What a delight then, when I found out that Tita Tata was going to Bacolod for a day last February 2016, to implement their programs to two institutions here in Bacolod. St. Vincent De Paul, Home for the Elder Person and Kalipay Negrense Foundation. Both institutions received food and groceries much needed to sustain the elderly and the children that they are taking care of. It is because of the donors like FtH that they are able to go on and have a strong resolution to take care of their elders and the children who have found a safe place to be a child. Kalipay Negrense Foundation was something at the back of my mind after watching a concert last December to raise funds for the two facilities that houses rescued children from the streets. I am happy that FtH and Kalipay have crossed paths last February 3, 2016.
My hats off to Tita Tata and to the many volunteers of FtH, because of their graciousness to not forget the country they were born to. They have done a lot of fund raising activities to fund their projects of giving back to the many Filipinos that needed their assistance. I was a witness of this program twice, one for Rotary Club of Bacolod-West, where my Mom then was a member and another one with Mom’s Radio where I was a radio talent. Both times, no words can describe the smile of each of the faces of the beneficiaries, the happiness and joy that they are not forgotten. Personally, I admire the volunteers of FtH, because they chose to volunteer and pay it forward here in their homeland. Given a chance… I too would volunteer.
“We may never be able to solve the many ills and problems of our country nor totally eradicate poverty…but if our 20 TOFA’s (Twenty Outstanding Filipinos Abroad), the 20’s before us and 20’s to come continue to do what we do – we will make a difference!” – Solita Magahum Wakefield, Treasurer – Feed the Hungry, Inc.
You may check the website of Feed the Hungry, Inc. at feedthehungryphil.org or email them at fth252017@gmail.com
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