On October 19, 2025, members of the Church of God gathered at Hacienda Paraiso in Las Piedras to help farmer Eduardo Ballester. For World Food Day, they collected fruits and vegetables that might have gone to waste. Their effort helped save crops and eased the burden on farmers.
Puerto Rico once thrived on farming, but today fewer people are willing to do the hard work it requires. Climate change and hurricanes have made harvesting even harder, often stopping workers and causing large amounts of food to go to waste. Volunteers worked with joy and focus, showing how much impact helping neighbors can have. They carefully gathered fruits and vegetables and ensured they left nothing edible behind. Their teamwork lightened the farmer’s workload and protected crops that feed the community.
Saving Crops, Supporting Farmers
The volunteers also encouraged the farmers during difficult times. When there aren’t enough hands in the field or bad weather disrupts work, community support matters most. The volunteers worked together and reminded farmers that the community supports them and values their efforts.
Through the “Hold Hope” campaign, members put Christ’s teachings into action. They showed love, unity, and care while strengthening families and preserving Puerto Rico’s farming traditions. Most importantly, they delivered hope, showing that service can inspire and uplift those who work tirelessly for others.
“First of all, I want to give a round of applause to those farmers whose work is very tough, and today we are experiencing it here… I am taking with me a beautiful experience from here, as I had never experienced the hard work that farmers do, and it is truly very tough. It is a beautiful experience,” said Dayana Santiago Reyes.
To view more volunteer events, please visit the activities page.