Mama Margarita Refectory serves meals to those in need

(MissionNewswire) Salesians operate the Mama Margarita Refectory in San Lorenzo, Peru, where many residents face challenging conditions of poverty. This is especially true for the elderly and Indigenous people who come to the city for health reasons, and then find themselves alone.

“Poverty is stronger and more evident among the elderly,” explained Tula Pizuri, head of the kitchen. “This canteen serves about 50 needy people every day. Those who have little money receive food there for their survival. Many of them are elderly and their children have emigrated to the city.”

Salesians have been in San Lorenzo for the past 25 years. In 2001, they established an educational and pastoral center for youth. In response to the visible poverty, especially among the elderly, the Salesian community opened the Mama Margarita Refectory in 2023. The locals know that the canteen is there for them and they visit without fear.

Operating with the cooperation of many people in the community, the canteen guarantees at least one meal a day to those in need. The canteen was started by Father Raúl Acuña with a team of committed lay people. While getting a meal, people are also provided a word of hope and encouragement.

A Salesian noted, “It’s fundamental for those who, due to various circumstances, find themselves without the support of their families. We demonstrate values of charity and service and provide hope where there might be none otherwise.” Given the needs of the area, Salesians are thinking of expanding the service, increasing the capacity of the dining room.

Peru faces high levels of income inequality and has more than a quarter of its population living in poverty, according to the World Bank. Poverty levels are significantly higher in rural areas but urban areas struggle most with inequality, most notably metropolitan Lima. Poverty in the country is made worse by a shortage of productive farmland and a lack of job skills among women entering the workforce, as well as a lack of adequate housing, nutrition and education.

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Sources

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS) 

ANS – Peru – The Mamma Margret refectory: a canteen for the poor and the elderly

Salesian Missions – Peru

World Bank – Peru