Volunteers spread holiday joy with a warm meal

Dozens of people did not go hungry and left with full bellies during lunchtime on Saturday as Jessica C. Domingo and several volunteers spread holiday cheer with a pop-up soup kitchen and food distribution at the Mount Carmel Cathedral Joeten & Daidai Social Hall.

Domingo, owner of JCD Catering & Event Solutions, was joined by volunteers from Project Buddy Check 670, the Saipan Natibu Lions Club, and local families. Lt. Gov. Dennis Mendiola and his wife Ana also helped serve meals and food bags to individuals and families who visited the social hall.

The event followed a food distribution Domingo and her team held last month at the Garapan Fishing Base for NAP recipients.

Domingo, in an interview while people were lining up for food, said she came up with the idea to do this soup kitchen after her first food distribution. “This was the idea during that day. When NAP recipients started receiving their benefits, I couldn’t not have the soup kitchen I already promised, so this is the fruit of everybody’s labor, not just mine—but Project Buddy Check, Saipan Natibu Lions Club, and all our donors and volunteers.”

When asked if there will be a next one, she said, “After this, I’m going to see how this turns out. I was speaking to one of the sisters, and if this is successful, maybe we’ll do it annually.”

She then thanked the volunteers, Bishop of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa Romeo Convocar for allowing them to use the space, Gov. David Apatang, Lt. Dennis Mendiola and his wife Ana, Paula Castro, Maisie Bermudes, Project Buddy Check 670, and the Saipan Natibu Lions Club, as well as the numerous donors.

Clement Bermudes, president of Project Buddy Check 670, said during the distribution that they volunteered as part of their ongoing partnership with Domingo. “We saw it as an appropriate return and community service for the organization so we can all come together and support our community that’s in need,” he said.

On how important this is for the community, he said, “this is amazing from the heart of Ms. Jessica and the different organizations that are here volunteering. There’s still people in our community that need support and the best thing is always to feed people because it feeds the soul, and it ensures the children are fed also especially during the weekend.”