Every day more than 3,000 meals are sent across Tijuana to shelters, like Movimiento Juventud – where people can wait up to nine months for asylum. For the hundreds of families who call these shelters home, Tijuana Sin Hambre is making sure they don’t have to worry about their next meal. “The poverty we see here is so extreme,” said Verónica Alvardo, the chef for Tijuana Sin Hambre. “And I’m a living example of that poverty.” A few years ago, during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Verónica faced tragedy. Her family was living in extreme poverty, and her father died because of a lack of access to basic necessities like food and medicine. “I hope that no one suffers because of food, because it’s so sad to lose someone due to hunger,” Verónica said. Days after her father’s death, she learned of Tijuana Sin Hambre – a non-profit whose mission is to save lives by eliminating hunger. She also met the group’s founder, Maru Riqué. “A hot meal is not just a plate of food, it’s a plate of hope,” Maru said. Maru supported Verónica through that difficult period of life, and now Verónica is giving back by running the non-profit's kitchen. MORE: https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/community/working-for-our-community/tijuana-sin-hambre-fights-food-insecurity/509-62836d50-1efe-45f4-ba22-2be9fc516d29