Our first Christmas Blessing Basket Project was a success!  Thanks to our wonderful donors, who donated a total of $1,411, we were able to build 40 large baskets full of much needed food.  In addition to the basket, a large bag of corn was handed out per basket too.  The food was stored, and then baskets assembled, at the local school.  To the surprise of the recipients, the baskets were handed out a few days before Christmas.  All the families that received a basket belong to Bethal Evangelical Church in San Juan La Laguna, Guatemala.

Many people put a lot of hard work into purchasing the items for the baskets, assembling them, then dispersing them.  This was truly a group effort.  Guatemalan Harvest would like to give a special thank you to Mr. Francisco Perez Mendoza, an elder at the church.  He and his family put a great amount of effort to this project. 

Here are some pictures of the baskets being handed out.  Mr. Mendoza said each of the recipients want to express their gratitude for this special gift.  They also said the baskets were beautiful and no one has done anything like this for them before.  Each basket was handed out with the message that God loves them. 

What a blessing to help others in need!

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Oct. 2009:  This year Guatemalan Harvest will hold our first Christmas Blessing Basket Project.  The selection of beneficiaries will be made by our affiliate in Guatemala - Bethel Evangelical Church, of San Juan La Laguna.  The criteria for selection will be based on families that are in the greatest need in their community.

As this is our first year coordinating this project, we are able to surprise the recipients with a very much needed Christmas gift.  Many of you might not be aware of this, but there if an extreme food shortage in Guatemala right now.  Poor weather in the region has led to lower than normal crop yields – a problem for a country that already has difficulty feeding its population.   Many families are doing with even less than before, which is difficult to imagine for already poor families in the rural Highlands of Guatemala. 

The essential items included in the basket are: rice; beans; dried corn; cooking oil; consume’ (broth); pan (bread); bottled water; Incasa (instant coffee); sugar; fruits; toothpaste and toothbrushes – all of which is placed in a useful reusable basket.  This will be enough food to feed a family of five for about one and a half weeks.  The baskets will be delivered shortly before Christmas and will make a Christmas wish come true for a family in need.   

Each Christmas Blessing Basket costs $35 and partial donations are also very welcome.

If you prefer to mail a check, please send it to: Guatemalan Harvest, PO Box 70146, Fort Bragg, NC, 28307.

***Would you like to make a donation to Guatemalan Harvest for a Christmas Blessing Basket, in lieu of a Christmas gift?  You may give a tax deductable donation in any amount and we will send you a beautiful 5" x 7" card (below) along with a red envelope – suitable for gift giving.  Click on the Donate button above and after you sign in add your request under “add special instructions”.  Or, enclose the instructions with your check.

We have a goal of giving 40 families a basket so we will need to raise $1400 for the project.  Please consider supporting this project and please share this information with friends, family, and co-workers. 

We will keep our website updated with our fundraising progress.  Once the project is complete we will post pictures of families receiving their baskets.  Thank you and God Bless.