Every Child Should Have Shoes Too
My dear brothers and sisters,
Imagine children who have NEVER had shoes! I am Fr. Martin, Director of the Casa Franciscana Mission in Guaymas, MX. Each year we reach out to help the children as they prepare for school in the poor neighborhoods and migrant farmworker camps. Shoes are required for them to attend school but the majority of these children don’t have shoes. Imagine the heartache of parents who cannot afford to feed their families, making the choice to provide food over shoes these children need! .Yes, the food is necessary but cannot provide a way out of the daily crushing burden experienced by the poor. One of the few paths out of poverty is through education. Let’s send them to school.
Last year with the love and generosity of people like you we were able to buy shoes for 1,032 children. They have now outgrown and worn out those shoes. Smaller children are also ready for the opportunity to attend school. As many of you send your own children and grandchildren to school, please put their faces on a shoeless child standing outside of a shack of mattress frames and corrugated metal and cardboard. Reflect what Jesus would expect of you. Use this opportunity to involve your own children or other family members in helping these girls and boys who were born into poverty.
Twenty dollars ($20) will allow us to provide shoes that fit properly and to wear to school.
Donations can be made online at
or Checks can be sent to:
Casa Franciscana Outreach, PO Box 15576, Scottsdale AZ 85267.
For those of you who are not familiar with Casa Franciscana Outreach (CFO), we are a 501c(3) of the Franciscan Friars of St. Barabara, CA. We support the Casa Franciscana Mission in Mexico providing food, shelter, dental/medical care, social services and more. Pre-COVID, we also directed a women’s jewelry making co-op, a workforce development program which is currently on hold. We also operate a youth center for 12 to 18 year old’s similar to a Boys’ and Girls’ Club and a children’s dining room, both with limited services as the pandemic continues. Please check our website listed below for our history and additional programs.ut of p
I know your generous hearts and that the Holy Spirit will work through you. You will not take your own blessings for granted and will do whatever you can to help make a difference. As I pray for the poor, I also pray in thanksgiving for you. Please, pray for us and the people we serve, especially the children.
Peace and all good,
Fr. Martin Ibarra, OFM