Nogales' Mission feeds hearts and souls on the border, free of charge

Versión en español

Nogales, Arizona – Less than half a mile from the border dividing Mexico and the United States, there is a place where hearts and bodies are nourished and where nationality and immigration status are irrelevant.

At Crossroads Nogales Mission, in Nogales, Arizona, dozens of people arrive each week on foot from Mexico to receive food and hope.

Fruits, vegetables, other groceries and even a smile are given to those who visit. A prayer is also offered before each meal. They fill their stomachs, but also their souls.

Lidia Cota is a resident of Nogales, Sonora, and crosses the border on foot to reach “La Misión” — as the place is known among the community — located at 338 N. Morley Ave. She brings a cooler and a cart to store the free food she acquires, which feeds the eight people who live in her home.

In mid-June, at approximately 2 p.m. with the temperature at 98 degrees, she was walking along Morley Street toward the border, pulling a cooler filled with fruits and vegetables. On top of the cooler, she carried two boxes of small watermelons and a separate cart with more food.

"They gave me a lot of watermelon, fruit, vegetables, groceries and a discussion about the Word of God," Cota said. They also gave her bread, tomatoes, potatoes, canned goods and squash.

With what they gave her that day, she and her family can eat for about 15 days, she said. She estimated that if she bought the same amount of food in Mexico, she would have to spend about 2,500 Mexican pesos, the equivalent of about $131, according to the current exchange rate.

"It's very helpful to come here," she said.

Francisco López, another resident of Nogales, Sonora, also crossed the border that day to walk to La Misión. Five people live in his house. He was given clothes, fruit, vegetables and a small cake.

López was also pulling a cart containing two cardboard boxes and a large bag, and he also carried a backpack on his shoulders. Like Cota, he walked to the border and then boarded a truck to reach his home, which was located approximately 14 miles away.

Behind the aid delivered is a network of workers, volunteers and donors who believe in assistance without borders.

Alejandra Martínez is the executive director and CEO of Crossroads Nogales Mission, which was founded in 1995 by Alberta and Ben Wenke. She stated that the organization's primary goal is to serve the community, specifically those experiencing homelessness and domestic violence, as well as individuals in challenging situations, providing them with shelter and food.

They receive daily donations from local businesses, including Safeway, Villa's Market and a local food bank. Food City donates bread once a week. What they offer locals depends on what they receive each day, Martínez explained.

"We don't require anything; the services are free. The only requirement is that they are hungry or in need," she said.

There is a soup kitchen at La Misión. They serve one meal at noon and another at 4:30 p.m. Approximately half of the people who come for food and those who come to ask for help are from Mexico, Martínez said.

Matilde Pereida is a resident of Nogales, Sonora, and helps out at La Misión during special events, such as Father's Day, celebrated this year on June 13.

"I love it because it's motivating, and God guides us in that way to help others," she said.

At 11 a.m. on the day of the celebration, guests arrived for a prayer, then went to the dining room where regular lunch guests and parents gathered.

There was live music — Rodolfo Ruiz played the accordion and Samuel García played the guitar, both volunteers at the center.

Those in attendance were offered thermoses, first aid kits, socks, cleaning kits and more.

Some gifts were provided by La Misión, but Susana Selig, Arizona operations manager for the organization Samu First Response, also attended and offered other provisions. Samu is dedicated to providing emergency response to natural disasters and also provides the community with cleaning supplies, food, diapers and baby milk, she explained.

César Barrón is an independent reporter covering the transnational communities of Ambos Nogales. He has over 20 years of experience covering the Sonoran communities.