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Oral history interview with Aurea “Aggie” Hernández and Mirna I. Carlo, June 17, 2022
Oral history interview with Aurea “Aggie” Hernández and Mirna I. Carlo, June 17, 2022
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Oral History Lab @UPRM
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Aurea “Aggie” Hernández Rodríguez se mudó a Toa Baja a los catorce años, donde estudió antes de ir a la universidad a estudiar Historia. Su familia tiene un largo historial de trabajo comunitario en la iglesia, lo cual también la inspiró. Cáritas es una organización internacional sin fines de lucro subvencionada por la iglesia católica, y Hernández Rodríguez es la coordinadora de la organización en la Iglesia del Espíritu Santo en Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. El objetivo principal de esta entrevista es entender mejor cómo Cáritas ayuda y provee a su comunidad. “Compartiendo mi pan” es un programa de banco de alimentos que comenzó hace 10 años donde los miembros de la comunidad pueden donar alimentos frescos y artículos no perecederos a la organización. Tienen un gran armario de almacenamiento que usan para guardar suministros de comida, así como congeladores para los alimentos frescos. Las personas necesitadas pueden comunicarse con la organización o presentarse en la iglesia y ellos brindan provisiones de emergencia. Hernández Rodríguez describe el llamado a la acción que tuvo la organización tras el paso del huracán María. Comenzaron llevando a cabo un censo casa por casa para averiguar cuáles eran las necesidades y comenzar a repartir provisiones. Colaboraron con miembros de la comunidad para identificar a las personas con necesidades y llegar a ellas. Como afirma Hernández Rodríguez, “Cáritas se envuelve. Tenemos grupos dedicados a personas sin hogar, familias, niños. No discriminamos. Es para todos los que necesitan ayuda y todo tipo de ayuda”.
Aurea “Aggie” Hernández Rodríguez moved to Toa Baja when she was fourteen years of age. She went to school there before going on to the university to study History. Her family has a long history of community work in church, which also served as an inspiration to her. Cáritas is a nonprofit international organization that is financially supported by the Catholic Church, and Hernández Rodríguez is the organization's coordinator at Iglesia del Espíritu Santo in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. The main objective of this interview is to gain a better understanding of how Cáritas helps and provides for its community. “Compartiendo mi pan” ("Sharing my Bread") is a food bank program that started 10 years ago, where community members can donate fresh food supplies and non-perishable items to the organization. They have a large storage space that they use to keep food supplies, as well as freezers for the fresh food items. People in need can contact the organization or visit the church, and they provide emergency provisions. Hernández Rodríguez describes the call to action that the organization felt following Hurricane Maria. They began by conducting a home-by-home census to find out what was needed and start distributing provisions. They collaborated with members of the community to identify people in need and reach them. As Hernández Rodríguez affirms, “Cáritas gets involved. We have groups dedicated to homeless people, families, children. We do not discriminate. It is for everyone who needs help and any kind of help”.
Aurea “Aggie” Hernández Rodríguez moved to Toa Baja when she was fourteen years of age. She went to school there before going on to the university to study History. Her family has a long history of community work in church, which also served as an inspiration to her. Cáritas is a nonprofit international organization that is financially supported by the Catholic Church, and Hernández Rodríguez is the organization's coordinator at Iglesia del Espíritu Santo in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. The main objective of this interview is to gain a better understanding of how Cáritas helps and provides for its community. “Compartiendo mi pan” ("Sharing my Bread") is a food bank program that started 10 years ago, where community members can donate fresh food supplies and non-perishable items to the organization. They have a large storage space that they use to keep food supplies, as well as freezers for the fresh food items. People in need can contact the organization or visit the church, and they provide emergency provisions. Hernández Rodríguez describes the call to action that the organization felt following Hurricane Maria. They began by conducting a home-by-home census to find out what was needed and start distributing provisions. They collaborated with members of the community to identify people in need and reach them. As Hernández Rodríguez affirms, “Cáritas gets involved. We have groups dedicated to homeless people, families, children. We do not discriminate. It is for everyone who needs help and any kind of help”.
Keywords
Food and food insecurity,
Alimentos e inseguridad alimentaria
Alimentos e inseguridad alimentaria
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Oral history interview with Aurea “Aggie” Hernández and Mirna I. Carlo, June 17, 2022 [Oral history]. (1 B.C.E.). Oral History Lab @UPRM. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11801/3746