Nov. 27 is ‘Feed Saipan Thursday’

For the seventh year, Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela has signed a proclamation designating Nov. 27 as “Feed Saipan Thursday,” calling on people to fast for two meals on this day and donate the money that would have been spent on food to Karidat for the purpose of feeding the hungry.

The signing was done yesterday in a simple ceremony at the Mayor’s Office in Afetna Square in San Antonio in the presence of officials and staff from the Karidat Social Services led by its executive director, Angie V. Deleon Guerrero.

Guerrero also signed the mayoral proclamation.

The proclamation expresses the resolve of Saipan residents to join the rest of the nation in remembering the poor, hungry and homeless during Thanksgiving Day.

Hundreds of residents continue to experience hardship in their life as they face the rising cost of utilities, food commodities, fuel, medical and other necessities of life.

“The people of Saipan never forget that millions of Americans, including 13 million children who live in households without an adequate supply of food, and who need our comfort and sustenance this Thanksgiving Day; and take note that some of our unfortunate residents experience hunger most of the time,” the proclamation states.

It further stressed that selfless sacrifice breeds a genuine spirit of Thanksgiving, both affirming and resorting fundamental values of caring and compassion for the poor.

In a speech, Tudela said more residents continue to feel the economic hardship, coupled with rising unemployment due to many businesses closing down that has led to the continued decline in government revenues.

“Many of our residents continue to have problems meeting their family’s needs. Occasionally, families cannot even serve food on the table,” Tudela said.

He noted that prices of fuel more than tripled in the last five months while the cost of utilities have also gone up in the last two years.

Likewise, he said the cost of health care has increased and majority of people cannot even afford medical insurance to help them meet the costs of every doctor’s visit at the clinic and at CHC.

Tudela appealed to the business community and individuals to be generous enough to donate canned goods, milk and clothing.

As in the past, the Mayor’s Office will receive all donations (cash or in kind) to be turned over to Karidat shortly after Thanksgiving Day.