Once again the children of the Sunday School of St. Mary Armenian Church in Costa Mesa, California, with the help of principal Izzy Toumanian and Nina Youusefian, pulled together a huge donation for FAR’s soup kitchens. Their gift provided two days of free meals, which fed about 800 people.
FAR’s five soup kitchens, which operate in cooperation with the Bay Area Friends of Armenia (BAFA), are located in Yerevan, Nor Hajn, and Ashtarak. Young and old alike rely on them for nourishing meals as well as clothing, toiletries, and a social outlet. FAR’s soup kitchens are also the only that serve refugee children from neighboring Azerbaijan.
Over the past few years St. Mary’s has started to support the BAFA soup kitchens on an annual basis. In fact, some beneficiaries are familiar with the children of Costa Mesa Sunday School. Many continually express their gratitude for the school’s support.
“These meals nourish not only out stomachs, but our souls,” said Shushan, an 84-year-old grandmother who frequently visits Nor Hajn. “We are so grateful.”