There is a definite change in the air. While no single moment marked the transition, you can feel it — the morning air smells a little crisper, the sun sets a bit earlier, and the leaves are beginning their annual, vibrant transformation. While some of us try to hold onto the last remnants of the warm summer days, those who love fall are already filled with anticipation for all the wonderful things the season brings.
Chief among those is Thanksgiving. It is a cherished opportunity to gather around the table with family and friends, share a wonderful feast, and celebrate the many blessings God has bestowed on our lives.
As we enjoy the abundance of food we will undoubtedly eat over the holiday, let us also say a prayer for those across our sites who struggle to access even basic nutrition — children like 12-year-old Luana, from San Vicente de Cañete, Peru.
Luana was diagnosed with lupus when she was just four years old, leaving her to endure severe pain in her legs, hands, and head. Because this chronic autoimmune condition causes the body to mistakenly attack its own healthy tissues, Luana faced repeated, exhausting hospitalizations. Compounding her illness, Luana was extremely selective about what she would eat, leaving her dangerously underweight, undersized, and chronically anemic. Her mother watched helplessly, constantly worrying for her daughter’s health.
Everything began to change four years ago, however, when Luana started attending the Santa Ana Dining Room, a feeding program supported by generous donors, sponsors, and Chalice’s Ladles & Love initiative.
“Thanks to the dining room, today, Luana enjoys daily nutritious foods that she previously rejected, such as liver and legumes (menestras),” Luana’s mother says. “In addition, the staff knows her medical condition and takes care of her nutrition in a personalized way, something that I greatly appreciate.”
The impact of simple, consistent, healthy meals was transformative. Luana gained weight, grew to a healthy height for her age, and she conquered her anemia. Most remarkably, her emergency hospital visits stopped, replaced only by routine checkups. For the first time in years, her mother could go to work with peace of mind, no longer living in constant fear of the next medical crisis.
“The dining room is also a safe space where Luana plays chess with her friends while I take advantage of the family [nutrition] workshops,” her mother adds. “As a mother, I am deeply grateful for all the support we have received. This opportunity has transformed our lives and has allowed us to regain peace of mind and hope to keep moving forward.”
This Thanksgiving, as we gather around our own tables laden with food, let us carry an extra measure of gratitude for the daily blessings we so often take for granted — and for the generous hearts that make life-changing meals possible for children like Luana.
As for Luana and her mother, they remain deeply grateful. “I thank Chalice and the Santa Ana Dining Room for accompanying us and contributing to my daughter being able to grow with greater health, well-being, and happiness.”