WHO?
The Farmworker Caravan is a grassroots effort by individuals led by Darlene Tenes of CasaQ by Darlene to provide emergency supplies to these oft-forgotten essential workers during the pandemic.
WHAT?
The Farmworker Caravan takes place over two days.
This first day is the Donation Drop-off that is open to the public to drop off non-perishable foods, essential household goods, face masks and PPE. We use a safe contact-less system. The donation drop is for people who are not participating in the caravan.
The second day the Farmworker Caravan consists of cars filled with donations that participants have collected. We meet up in the morning in San Jose, CA to drive to a destination where the goods are dropped of at a partner location where they will sort and distribute to the farmworkers. Only registered guests and vehicles may participate in the caravan.
WHEN?
The Farmworkers Caravans take place about once a month. Please make sure to join our email list to get notifications.
WHY DO I NEED TO REGISTER?
Because of the current shelter-in-place, social distancing and large gathering guidelines all vehicles must register in advance to participate in the caravan. Cars will need to park in every other stall because of social distancing which limits the amount of space we can use.
WHY CAN'T I HAVE THE LOCATION IN ADVANCE?
We can not give out the locations beforehand because of the restriction on large gathering guidelines and need to limit participation for numerous reasons. We want the non-profit agency to be well prepared to handle the caravan's donations and have enough staff on hand.
WHEN WILL I FIND OUT WHERE WE ARE MEETING OR GOING?
Registered vehicles will receive the meet up location by 7pm the night before the caravan. When vehicles check-in at the meet-up location on the day of the caravan they will receive a caravan packet with an itinerary, caravan placard, driving directions for the appreciation parade and address of the drop-off destination.
WHAT SHOULD I DONATE?
Household essentials such as:
Toilet Paper & Tissue
Feminine Hygiene
Hand Sanitizer
Anti-Bacterial Wipes
Shampoo & Conditioner
Soap or Shower Gel
Toothpaste & Toothbrushes
Diapers (Huge need for size 4 & 5)
Paper Towels & Napkins
Nonperishable Foods such as:
Black or Pinto Beans, Rice, Pasta (fideo or vermicelli)
Flour (Harina or Maseca)
Canned Meats (Spam, Tuna, Chicken)
Fruits (canned or plastic cups)
Canned Vegetables
Bottled Water
Canned Juices
Face Masks & PPE
All types of face masks and protective gear is needed. N95 are especially needed when they are working in the wildfire smoke. At other times cotton face masks are needed not only for coronavirus, allergies, etc. but for pesticides that are used in the fields. Masks with a fabric filter or have a place for a disposable filter are preferred but any and all face masks are appreciated.
If you are unable to participate you can donate to our partner agencies HERE.
HOW DO THE IN-KIND DONATIONS GET DISTRIBUTED?
We work with various nonprofit agencies who have a relationship with farmworkers to distribute the donations at local churches, migrant camps or directly to the fields. The agricultural areas we predominantly visit are in San Benito, Monterey, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE CATHOLIC CHARITIES FOR MONETARY DONATIONS?
Catholic Charities is a trusted agency in the farmworker community and is the largest provider of social services outside of the government. They are also the largest provider of DACA, immigration and refugee services in the United States.
Historically Cesar Chavez was a devout Catholic and the UFW and immigrant community have always been strongly supported by the church. See article >
The undocumented community is a delicate group to work with as they speak Spanish and indigenous languages and stay in the shadows. Spanish many times is their second language. The undocumented workers will not go to a government agency or an organization they don't trust or have a relationship with for fear of being deported.
About 80% of Mexicans and Latin-Americans are Catholic and are familiar with Caritas Internationalis which is the umbrella organization of 165 Catholic relief, development and social service organizations operating in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. Catholic Charities is a 501c3 nonprofit run separately from the church serving people of all faiths and backgrounds. Visit Catholic Charities USA for more information.
WHAT ABOUT SOCIAL DISTANCING?
All participants are required to wear face masks and disposable gloves upon entry and the duration of your time at the donation drops and maintain 6' social distancing.
WHAT IS YOUR NO-TOUCH PLAN?
For the safety of all we ask that participants place all donations in sturdy bags and boxes and place them in your trunk or back of the vehicle away from passengers. Do not place any items in the passenger areas. When the caravan arrives at the distribution location the vehicle will drive up to the drop-off point and pop-open the trunk then volunteers will grab the donations.
WHY DO I NEED A PLACARD?
Currently some counties have a 5 mile distance restriction from your home. People have recently been fined up to $1000 when participating in nonessential activities such as going to the beach. All registered vehicles will receive an official placard showing the reason why you are traveling outside of your shelter-in place zone.
ARE THERE RESTROOMS?
Please keep in mind there are limited restrooms available along the way and the roundtrip caravan will take approximately 3-4 hours. The drop-off location in will allow people in the caravan to use the facilities.
DO YOU NEED CLOTHING DONATIONS?
NO. Please do not bring any clothing.
All participants are required to wear face masks and disposable gloves upon entry and the duration of your time at the donation drops and maintain 6' social distancing.
WHAT IS YOUR NO-TOUCH PLAN?
For the safety of all we ask that participants place all donations in sturdy bags and boxes and place them in your trunk or back of the vehicle away from passengers. Do not place any items in the passenger areas. When the caravan arrives at the distribution location the vehicle will drive up to the drop-off point and pop-open the trunk then volunteers will grab the donations.
WHY DO I NEED A PLACARD?
Currently some counties have a 5 mile distance restriction from your home. People have recently been fined up to $1000 when participating in nonessential activities such as going to the beach. All registered vehicles will receive an official placard showing the reason why you are traveling outside of your shelter-in place zone.
ARE THERE RESTROOMS?
Please keep in mind there are limited restrooms available along the way and the roundtrip caravan will take approximately 3-4 hours. The drop-off location in will allow people in the caravan to use the facilities.
DO YOU NEED CLOTHING DONATIONS?
NO. Please do not bring any clothing.
