Cozumel in Mexico depends on tourism but the island has had very few tourists for over 7 months. To give an idea: 2.3 million (yes, million!) less visitors have arrived on cruise ships so far this year, compared with last year, because of the pandemic. The economy and employment have been devastated and, although island businesses have reopened and some tourists have started to return, things are still extremely quiet.

The poorest on the island are still struggling to feed their families and a number of local organizations are continuing to help by distributing food parcels. Destination website, This is Cozumel, has teamed up with two of them, Cáritas and Coparmex, to create Food Aid Cozumel, a campaign to raise funds so they can continue this important work.

Please support and share to help those most in need, demand for food parcels is higher than ever. A donation of just $20 is enough to buy 2 food parcels that will give a family of 5 the basics they need for about 4 days. Our original campaign target was to raise $7,500 to help 50 families or more for 30 days, but the crisis has lasted a lot longer than originally hoped, so we are keeping it open until the end of October. Please donate before then so we can send it to the food charity in the last campaign transfer.

A Real Story

In April 2019 a total of 116 cruise ships visited the island, this April there were none. In the second half of April 2019 the island's hotels were at 72.2% occupancy, this April it was zero. 

Like most on the island, this dramatic change hit the Perez family hard. They lost all their income overnight when the dad, Moises, a taxi driver, suddenly had no passengers and no money for gas, and the eldest daughter, Julieta, lost her job as a tour guide, as there were no tourists and no tours. Before, their wages and tips were enough to support the family, which includes 3 younger children and a grandmother. Now, they have no income and no savings, and are relying on food banks to help feed everyone.

Please support and share this campaign so we can help many more families like the Perez in Cozumel.

(Names changed to protect identities)

The Food Parcels

There are different types of parcel being distributed depending on availability, but all include important dry and tinned foods, such as rice, flour, tuna, beans, salt and cooking oil.

Each parcel gives a family of 5 people the basics they need for approximately 2 days and costs approximately $8-$10 US dollars. The more money we raise the more we can buy wholesale, delivered by trailer, which will bring the price per parcel down, so please give as generously as you can.

The Team

Cáritas

An international charity working at the grassroots in almost every country of the world. Inspired by Christian faith, Caritas reaches out to the poor, vulnerable and excluded, regardless of race or religion. This campaign includes their Cozumel branch, which runs a food bank on the island and has already been identifying the most needy and helping them with food parcels. The money raised will mean they can reach and continue to help even more of the island's most vulnerable people.

Find out more about Cáritas International on their website in English here and Cáritas in Cozumel and the state of Quintana Roo on their website in Spanish here.

Coparmex

The Mexican federation of business owners, this campaign includes their Cozumel branch. Their local members have already joined together to collect money for food parcels for their employees and their families, that most need them and the money raised will help them continue and reach out even further.

Find out more on their national website in Spanish here or on their Cozumel website in Spanish here.

This is Cozumel

A tourist destination website for Cozumel news, information and reservations, run by Local Experts.

Visit their website in English here.

How the Campaign Works

Donations are made online to This is Cozumel in US dollars through this fundraising page. This is Cozumel changes the money to Mexican pesos and sends it directly to Coparmex and Cáritas in Cozumel.

Funds raised will be split between them depending on their demand and capacity, and they will join together to purchase food parcels wholesale when possible to maximize the number of mouthes they can feed.

The Benefits

Cáritas has experience on the ground of identifying the most vulnerable, so the food parcels will get to those who need them most.

Coparmex has access to wholesale rates for food parcels and the infrastructure to safely distribute to the families most in need, among their members' employees.

This is Cozumel has access to preferential exchange rates and low banking charges through its existing international banking, so more of the money will reach the people who need it, saving around 5%-10% compared with donations made through PayPal or international bank transfers.

Fundrazr (this fund raising website) does not charge any platform fee and only asks donors for an optional tip.

Transparency

We will keep you updated on the money raised, when it's sent to Mexico, and when and how food parcels are bought and distributed, through this campaign page.

The money raised will be spent solely on food aid, including the purchase of the food parcels and  associated costs. This is Cozumel will not charge anything. 

Approximately 2.9% of each donation will be paid to process the card payments, a competitive industry rate.

The money service, TransferWise, will be used to exchange the US dollars to Mexican pesos and send the money to Mexico, guaranteeing better exchange rates and lower transfer fees than most banks.

Campaign Managers

Landy Margarita Angulo Lopez and Rhonda Penzell, Cáritas Cozumel

Landy is the director for the Cozumel branch of Cáritas. Find her on Facebook here.

Rhonda is originally from the USA but now lives in Cozumel and is a volunteer for Cáritas on the island. Find her on Facebook here.

María del Carmen Joaquin Hernandez, Coparmex

Carmen is president of Coparmex in Cozumel. Find her on their website here.

Ian F. Campbell, This is Cozumel

Ian is director of Communication Common, the British company that owns This is Cozumel. Find him on LinkedIn here.