Embracing Community: Continuing the Mission in El Salvador

Greetings from El Salvador

Dear friends, as we step further into 2026, we express our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support in the communities where we live and work. Our commitments remain steadfast, and we are actively mapping out our plans for the year ahead. In recent months, we have dedicated countless hours to engaging with local community members and church leaders, attentively listening to understand how best to tackle food insecurity and enhance community life.

Building the Kingdom of God Through Love

This reflection is guided by a profound homily by St. Óscar Romero from June 26, 1977, where he stated, "The kingdom of God must begin here right now… Christ calls us to act with love." These words resonate deeply with our mission. Every visit to an elderly neighbor, every listening ear for a mother's concerns, and every collaborative effort with local leaders to combat food insecurity reflects our commitment to building the kingdom of God, here and now. Our efforts extend beyond food provision; they encompass restoring dignity and fortifying community through meaningful acts of love.

Our Commitment and New Developments

During our final food distribution in December in Quesalapa, a remote community, we encountered María, an elder who consistently attends our monthly meetings. With her warm greetings and heartfelt gratitude, she inquired about the continuation of our food distribution, which has been a lifeline since 2023. At that moment, uncertainty about securing funding was daunting, yet María’s faith shone through as she assured us of her prayers. She expressed, "I am old and cannot work. I depend on this food to survive." Thanks to divine grace and your generous support, we can continue providing essential sustenance to María and her community, who rely solely on this aid.

We are elated to announce that La Mesa Compartida, or the Shared Table, has been officially recognized as a local Salvadoran nonprofit. With this formal establishment, we enhance our sustainability and streamline our collaboration with local partners while ensuring our work remains firmly rooted in the community itself. The operations are funded through our 501(c)(3) organization in the US, Nourish El Salvador, which exists solely to support our mission.

We remain profoundly grateful for your prayers, encouragement, and companionship. Your support allows our shared mission to thrive, and we look forward to updating you as developments unfold in the coming months. If you wish to learn more about any aspect of our work, please do not hesitate to reach out.

With gratitude,
Peter and Melissa Altman
La Mesa Compartida and Nourish El Salvador

Nourish El Salvador

Nourishing lives, strengthening communities

info@nourishelsalvador.org

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