Full Donor ListJay Anderson and Lori Delgado - Brought Together by God and Food for the Poor!
Twice a year, on behalf of Food For The Poor, Fr. Tony Palazzolo leads a pilgrimage to Jamaica to build houses, feed the poor, and care for the sick, handicapped and elderly. During the April 2007 trip a man from Ponte Vedra, Florida and a woman from Belmont, California met while working along side other Food For The Poor pilgrims building houses and caring for the people of Jamaica. He only knew her first name. They became friends and talked of his experience of losing his wife and her experiences of loss and divorce. They had a common bond in God.
At the end of the first Food For The Poor reunion ever held by a pilgrimage group, in August of 2007 in Florida, the two became quite interested in one another. He offered to buy her dinner on his business trip to California that September and she accepted.
The month before dinner, a few e-mails grew into chats on the phone, which grew into hour long conversations learning about each other’s lives and families. On September 11, 2007 he arrived at her door and they felt like they’d known each other forever. From the night of that "first date", their love has blossomed into a wonderful and permanent relationship.
Jay and Lori know that God brought them together and is with them guiding their lives. They are so eternally grateful for all he has given and they feel it is time to give back to the people of God.
Jay and Lori have worked first hand with Food For The Poor and have seen the good work they do. Last August they ventured to Nicaragua to dedicate a village of 44 homes that was built with funds raised by the Jamaica pilgrimage group. While in Nicaragua, they were introduced to the Benito Petito School. The children at the school are in great need, but their needs are simple.
Founded in 1960, the Benito Pitito School provides a tuition-free education, including two meals a day to approximately 675 enrolled students. Most of the students, many from impoverished families, walk long distances to attend school here. Their parents work in meager-paying jobs and cannot afford transportation to school, let alone school tuition. In an effort to discourage poor attendance and student dropout, the school’s meal incentive program provides students with breakfast and lunch.
Jay and Lori are focused on a project which will build a new kitchen and eating facility for the children. The school currently cooks meals over an open fire and there is no separate place for the children to eat. Their bathroom facilities also need repair and they need more computer equipment and air conditioners for the computer room. Lastly they would like to clear a field for the children to have a real playing field for soccer.
On September 11, 2009, the second anniversary of their ‘first date’, Jay and Lori will be joined in marriage with Fr. Tony officiating. It is their wish that, in lieu of wedding gifts, monetary gifts be made to the Benito Petito School Project in their honor.
We thank you so very much in advance for your generosity.
Jay and Lori
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