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| Her smile captures the hearts of everyone around her. Now almost four years old, Florentina sits next to her grandmother Elena politely eating her lunch. What could have been a tragic tale for this grandmother and granddaughter has turned into a continuing story of determination and gratefulness. Find out how you, our partner have helped this Romanian family. |
Poor and desperate, Florentina’s mother left her infant daughter
at a local orphanage over three years ago. The precious bundle wasn’t
there long until her grandmother rescued her. Providing for a growing
child proved to be impossible since Elena lived on less than $40 every
month. Hope came when Elena was invited to one of Operation Blessing’s
soup kitchen programs. Hot nutritious food five days a week was an amazing
miracle! Florentina was just eight months old when she and her grandmother
began coming.
As time passed it was a common sight to see the elderly woman slowly
walking with her excited toddler to the soup kitchen location. And then
last January the daily walks ended. Elena became very ill and was in the
hospital for three months. A neighbor and one of Florentina’s aunts
took turns caring for her. Finally Elena returned home, but was too weak
to leave the tiny apartment.
Volunteers soon began delivering their daily meal. These visits not only
provided company for the bedridden grandmother but also a short play time
outside for the young girl. During one such visit in November, Florentina
also received gifts of stuffed animals, pencils, paper, warm long underwear,
shoes. In addition some nonperishable food was brought to help stock their
bare cupboards. Even though the doctor predicts she will recover, the
last few months haven’t been easy for Elena, who goes to kidney
dialysis twice a week. With tears in her kind eyes Elena says that she’s
living for her granddaughter.
This family lives in the second story of an old apartment building with
no private restroom. They can’t afford to put more than one light
bulb in the chandelier. But Elena and Florentina are wealthier than some
of the richest people in the world. They value and love each other.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Every day, the fleet of Hunger Strike Force trucks are on the road, delivering nutritious food and essential supplies to thousands facing hunger and poverty. With your help, we can continue to impact lives and give hope to those who need it most. Consider making an online donation today.
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