At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, in our Parish of the Sacred Hearts in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, the need arose to do something for others, due to the lockdown brought on by self-care measures. This reality revealed a need among sick and bedridden people who were mostly living alone and had no one to help them with their basic needs, particularly with preparing daily meals.
From this, the Pan Compartido (Shared Bread) program was born out of the parish Caritas project. We currently have more than forty volunteers, mostly women, led by a team that coordinates all operations.
Some people help by preparing the food and others by delivering it to homes. We are delivering more than one hundred (100) lunches daily, Tuesday through Friday, to four parishes including our own.
We also visit them every Wednesday to share time with them, find out if they are satisfied and what needs they have, and see how Caritas can provide further assistance.
The resources for this social work come through the Caritas bazaar, in-kind donations, cash donations, and fundraising activities.
SER de Puerto Rico has also joined us — a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing medical, physical rehabilitation, and therapeutic services. Thank God, this social project is adding great value to our parish and moving compassionate hearts every day who want to join our mission.
05/28/2026