My name is Rick Ballester and my mother was born and raised in Peru. Being born and raised in the United States, I have visited Peru frequently and have always been shocked by some of the extreme poverty in certain areas. When the pandemic struck in March of 2020, I knew that those less fortunate would have a much worse time than anyone else.

My friend and retired doctor, Oscar Salerno (in the picture next to me) was in Peru when the lockdown started. Being someone that is always helping out those in need, he decided to buy food for people in the most impoverished areas of Lima where people were literally starving to death. Out of his own pocket he has bought food and organized a small group of people to help distribute the food.

With the contributions of people all over the world he has delivered 109 tons of food (as of May 2021). There are no middlemen involved. Any money that is contributed goes directly to buy supplies at wholesale prices.

My family and I have been helping his cause and have also been assisting others in that area providing equipment and materials to learn how to sew and print t-shirts so they can help sustain themselves.