[News Boquete] Newsletter Fundación Alimentos Para Compartir

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In this June 2026 Issue: 3 Programs 1 Mission Frequently Asked Questions Save the Date Meet Our Directors Newsletter Volunteer Needed ­ ­ Three Programs, One Mission Alimentos Para Compartir – Food to Share Buenos Vecinos de Boquete Amigos de Boquete  For decades, the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors has run deep in Boquete. Through the steady work of volunteers, donors, drivers, schools, and community members, two beloved organizations, Buenos Vecinos de Boquete and Amigos de Boquete, have nourished thousands of lives across Chiriquí. Today, that legacy enters an exciting new chapter. Founded in March 2026 through the leadership of Cary Gordon and Karen Friedhaber, Fundación Alimentos Para Compartir – Food to Share brings these long-standing efforts together under one shared vision. Beginning June 1, 2026, the new organization unites the strengths of both predecessor groups into a single legal and operational umbrella, built on a simple but powerful purpose: to ensure that no individual or family in our community faces hunger alone. Importantly, this is a coming-together, not a closing-down. Buenos Vecinos de Boquete and Amigos de Boquete are not going away. Quite the opposite. Their most cherished work continues, now strengthened by shared resources, coordinated planning, and a unified mission to eliminate food insecurity throughout Chiriquí. The Three Programs At the heart of Food to Share are three interconnected programs, each responding to community needs in a distinct way. The Buenos Vecinos Monthly Deliveries carry forward the personalized food delivery relationships that have long defined BVB. Volunteers bring monthly support directly to vulnerable families, seniors, single-parent households, and neighbors with limited access, building genuine relationships along the way and ensuring ongoing care reaches those who need it most. The Amigos de Boquete Nutrition Programs continue their vital school feeding and MannaPack work. More than 2,000 children receive fortified MannaPack Rice meals each day through local school lunch programs, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and protein that help students grow, focus, and thrive both inside and outside the classroom. The newest addition, the Community Food Bank, creates a centralized place where individuals and families can access food assistance directly. Offering non-perishable staples, fresh produce when available, and emergency relief during difficult times, it ensures that no one has to choose between paying the bills and putting food on the table. Stronger Together By uniting under one umbrella, Food to Share can coordinate resources more effectively, reduce duplication, strengthen fundraising, qualify for grants and partnerships, expand volunteer opportunities, and build long-term sustainability, all so the organization can serve more families than ever before. Guided by values of respect, integrity, collaboration, service, and community, Food to Share envisions a stronger, more resilient region where every person has reliable access to nutritious food and the opportunity to thrive. This new chapter has been made possible by the volunteers, donors, and supporters who built these programs over many years. As the organization often puts it, they are the roots of this work. Because hunger is bigger than any one organization, and together, this community is stronger than ever. *To get involved, volunteer, sponsor a need, or donate, visit boquetefoodshare.com, email info@boquetefoodshare.com, or call +507 720-5060.* ­ ­ ­ ­ Click Here to Volunteer ­ You Have Questions?? - Here are the Answers As Buenos Vecinos de Boquete and Amigos de Boquete come together under Fundación Alimentos Para Compartir – Food to Share, we know our community has questions. Here are answers to the ones we hear most, along with a few you may not have thought to ask yet. About the New Organization What is Food to Share? Fundación Alimentos Para Compartir – Food to Share is a foundation created to coordinate and support several food assistance programs serving Boquete and the greater Chiriquí region. Its mission is to work alongside Amigos de Boquete and Buenos Vecinos de Boquete to eliminate food insecurity in Chiriquí by feeding our neighbors in need. Three programs now operate under one shared operational and fundraising umbrella: BVB monthly deliveries, the Amigos de Boquete nutrition programs, and the new Community Food Bank. Why create a foundation? For many years, Buenos Vecinos operated entirely through volunteer dedication and community generosity, but without formal nonprofit infrastructure in Panama. Establishing a foundation allows the organization to legally receive and manage donations, strengthen financial accountability, qualify for grants and partnerships, improve coordination between programs, and build long-term sustainability. Most importantly, it makes it possible to serve more people, more effectively. Is BVB going away? No. Buenos Vecinos de Boquete is not going away. Its monthly delivery program, its volunteer relationships, and the community support it has provided for years all remain central to the mission. Food to Share was created to strengthen this work, not replace it. What is Amigos de Boquete's role? Amigos de Boquete remains an active and important partner. Its nutrition and MannaPack programs continue serving schools, seniors, vulnerable families, and rural and comarca communities, bringing years of experience, relationships, and infrastructure to the shared mission. How long has this work been going on? For more than 20 years. Buenos Vecinos de Boquete has been a volunteer-operated organization delivering nonperishable food to neighbors in need for over two decades, while Amigos de Boquete has built its own years of experience through nutrition and MannaPack programs. Food to Share carries this long legacy of community care forward into a new chapter. When did this all take effect? Fundación Alimentos Para Compartir – Food to Share was founded in March 2026 by Cary Gordon and Karen Friedhaber, and the three programs began operating under the unified foundation on June 1, 2026. Programs and Services What programs are offered? Three interconnected programs work together: BVB Monthly Deliveries (home food deliveries and ongoing relationships with families), the Amigos de Boquete Nutrition Programs (school feeding, MannaPack distribution, and outreach to vulnerable populations), and the Community Food Bank (direct food assistance for individuals and families). Together they provide emergency support, monthly assistance, school nutrition, rural outreach, and direct food bank access. Will deliveries continue? Yes. BVB monthly deliveries continue, with volunteers maintaining the relationships they have built with families over the years. Home delivery remains essential for neighbors who cannot easily reach the Community Food Bank in person. What is the MannaPack program? MannaPack Rice is a fortified meal providing essential vitamins, minerals, and protein. More than 2,000 children receive MannaPack meals each day through local school lunch programs. Each bag provides about four servings and requires only water to prepare. What is the Food Start Program? A long-running Buenos Vecinos initiative, Food Start provides seedlings in small containers that families can grow themselves, helping households become more self-sufficient over time. Does the organization help during emergencies? Yes. The organization has a history of stepping up in crises, including responding to flooding in the greater Boquete area, and emergency food relief remains part of its work today. Getting Help How can I receive assistance? Individuals and families needing food assistance can visit the Community Food Bank during operating hours, be referred through a partner organization, inquire about BVB delivery support when appropriate, or simply contact the foundation directly. Assistance is provided based on program availability and partner referrals, so please reach out for current hours and eligibility details. Who does the organization typically serve? Support reaches some of the most vulnerable members of the community, including single parents with children, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families facing financial hardship, illness, unemployment, or other unexpected challenges. Where is the food bank located? Food to Share is located on Avenida Central in Los Naranjos, Boquete. Buenos Vecinos moved into its food pantry home in January 2026, in the warehouse behind the Toledano egg store, across from the Los Naranjos gymnasium. Getting Involved Are volunteers still needed? Absolutely. Volunteers are the heart of everything the organization does. As the foundation grows, opportunities continue to expand across food packing, deliveries, Community Food Bank operations, client support, fundraising events, community outreach, and administrative help. What kinds of volunteer roles are available? There's a role for nearly every interest and skill, including greeters, returning-client and check-out desk volunteers, client assistants, warehouse helpers, and volunteer coordinators. You can also share other talents through the Time, Talent & Treasure form on the website. How can I donate? Donations can be made through the website and designated donation platforms. Community support helps purchase food, fund school nutrition, respond to emergencies, maintain delivery programs, and expand food assistance services. Every contribution helps feed families in our community. Can I sponsor a specific need? Yes. Beyond general donations, supporters can sponsor specific items the food bank needs to serve families effectively, such as a walk-in cooler, a commercial refrigerator, a power lift, racking and storage shelves, or direct food purchases. Still Have Questions? We're always happy to help. Reach out anytime: **info@boquetefoodshare.com** or **+507 720-5060**. Because hunger is bigger than any one organization, and together, we are stronger than ever. ­ ­ Meet Our Directors Behind every meal delivered, every child fed, and every family supported stands a dedicated team of leaders. The directors of Fundación Alimentos Para Compartir – Food to Share bring together decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, finance, education, and community service. Together, they guide the foundation's mission to eliminate food insecurity throughout Chiriquí. We're proud to introduce them. Ajit Mathew George – President A philanthropist and retired entrepreneur, Ajit divides his time between Wilmington, Delaware; Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands; and Boquete. He has spent decades creating opportunities that bring people together for community causes, producing acclaimed fundraising events such as Meals From the Masters, the Virgin Islands Winemakers Dinners, and the MidAtlantic Wine + Food Festival, and helping launch Boquete's inaugural Tastes From The Masters fundraiser. He currently serves as Treasurer of Dos Jefes Nutrition and Educational Fund and as a Director of Boquete Community Fund. As President, Ajit provides strategic leadership, community partnerships, and a vision for expanding the foundation's impact across the region. ­ Karen Friedhaber – Treasurer Karen brings a rich blend of educational, business, and financial expertise. Originally from Virginia, she holds degrees in Special Education and Adult Education and taught special-needs students, elementary children, and community college learners before building a business career as a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and owner of SnoYo frozen yogurt shops in Delaware. A member of Buenos Vecinos de Boquete since 2023, Karen oversees the foundation's financial stewardship, ensuring transparency, accountability, and responsible management of donor resources. Maristela Fountain – Secretary Maristela has been an active Boquete volunteer for the past four years, dedicating her time to causes that support both people and animals through Buenos Vecinos de Boquete and Amigos de Animales. As Secretary, she helps support effective board governance and clear organizational communication. Her passion for volunteerism reflects the spirit of compassion and service that drives the foundation's mission. John Wiseman – Director of Operations John brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership and community development, and also serves as Chairman of Phalarope, an NGO empowering women through projects in Panama and Guatemala. His volunteer work has included teaching environmental science to Boquete schoolchildren and renovating local school facilities, and earlier in his career he served as a Peace Corps agronomist in remote mountain communities of Nepal. His operational expertise helps ensure Food to Share runs efficiently and effectively. Dr. Jane Youtz Riecke – Director of Volunteers Jane has devoted her life to serving others through volunteerism, ministry, and community outreach spanning healthcare, education, housing, and food assistance. Over the years she has supported organizations including Catholic Charities, Habitat for Humanity, Warren Village, and numerous community meal and food bank programs. As Director of Volunteers, she recruits, supports, and inspires the volunteers who make the foundation's mission possible. Joy Drover – Director of Marketing & Development Joy brings more than sixteen years of experience supporting food assistance programs in Canada and Panama, including twelve years with school breakfast programs in Newfoundland and four years with a church Christmas dinner program. Now a volunteer with Buenos Vecinos de Boquete, she leads marketing and development, building awareness, community engagement, and the fundraising support needed to serve more families. Cary Gordon Trantham – Director A Certified Public Accountant with degrees from Oklahoma City University and Saint Mary's of the Woods College, Cary has dedicated nearly two decades to charitable organizations in Panama and the United States. She currently serves as President of Fundación Amigos de Boquete and has held leadership roles across organizations focused on animal welfare, community support, and charitable development. Her expertise in financial stewardship and governance offers valuable guidance as the foundation grows. A Shared Commitment What unites these seven leaders is a deep, shared commitment to their neighbors. Drawing on backgrounds in finance, education, operations, and decades of hands-on volunteer service, they ensure that Food to Share is guided with care, integrity, and vision, so that no family in our community has to face hunger alone. ­ Volunteer Needed: Newsletter Creator We're looking for a volunteer to help bring our Newsletter to life in Brevo, our email platform. The role is straightforward: you'll handle the layout, arranging the articles, images, and sections into a clean, readable design. Full instructions on how to use Brevo will be provided, so no prior experience is needed — just a willingness to learn.  Using AI tools to help with the work is perfectly fine and encouraged. The time commitment is modest. Most editions take about one to two days of work, and that time can be spread out at your own pace rather than done all at once. If you'd like to help out, or just want to learn more before deciding, please get in touch. It's a great way to contribute and pick up a useful new skill along the way.  Just reply to this email.  ­ ­ Food to Share exists to help people who are unable to meet their basic food needs. We have provided emergency food support on many occasions and have been successful in helping families through hard times. We will help them with food support until the working age adults in the family can find enough income to become self-sustaining. Donate to Help People Meet Basic Food Needs Be sure to check out our Website: https://boquetefoodshare.com/ ­ ­ Alimentos Para Compartir Food to Share  Los Naranjos, Boquete

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