Farmworker caravan vows to ‘not forget the farmworkers’

October 5, 2021

HOLLISTER, Calif. (courtesy of KSBW8) — Farmworker families in Hollister have food, new clothes, and other household supplies. Dozens of cars drove from San Jose to deliver donations to hundreds of families.

“It’s really important we not forget the farmworkers,” said Darlene Tenes, the Farmworker Caravan founder.

The Farmworker Caravan, a nonprofit group based in San Jose, had dozens of vehicles travel from San Jose to Hollister.

They delivered food items, clothes, children’s books, crayons, toiletries, and personal hygiene products. They were donated to around 550 farmworker families.

“There is nobody across America that does not benefit from a farmworker. Not a single person,” Tenes said.

“It’s heartwarming to see the compassion of people from across different faiths or no faith at all,” said Bishop Oscar Cantu from San Jose.

Cantu joined in on the caravan from San Jose. On behalf of the U.S. bishops, Cantu is appointed as the liaison for migrant farmworkers throughout the U.S. He said his work includes advocating for the rights and safety of farmworkers, but also recognizing the hard work of farmworkers.

“Highlighting the work they do and the person of who they are worthy of human dignity,” Cantu said.

The Farmworker Caravan partnered with the Catholic Charities of Monterey to help with the distribution to farmworker families.

“Really seeing the full circle of effort to full circle of love, all the way from donors to volunteers, to staff to really our community. Really being part of the effort is priceless because we know how much the community needs this,” said Angela Di Novella, Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey executive director.