Supporting Colombia One Treat at a Time

6 hours ago

2 min read

Local fundraiser for earthquake relief

Long-time Lions Bay residents Catalina Lopez-Correa and Maria Escobar Trujillo have got a treat for you.

They are holding a bake sale this Saturday to raise funds to to support communities in their native Colombia damaged by the devastating earthquake in August.

"Every purchase and every donation will help support families and communities as they rebuild," says Lopez-Correa.

On September 10,, the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated that more than 466,000 people were affected across 498 municipalities.

Of those:

•⁠ ⁠331 people have died and 4,519 were injured.

•⁠ ⁠122 people remain missing.

•⁠ ⁠364 people have been rescued.

•⁠ ⁠293,743 families are officially registered as affected.

•⁠ ⁠709 buildings collapsed and another 5,889 were damaged.

•⁠ ⁠Major infrastructure damage includes 400 health centres, 4,292 schools, 5,600 community centres, 468 roads, 140 water systems, 104 bridges and five airports.

•⁠ ⁠3,023 animals were affected, with 2,976 rescued.

"Overall, the scale of the disaster remains enormous, (including) hundreds of thousands of people and critical infrastructure," says Lopez-Correa.

Money from the bake sale will go directly to support impacted families in Colombia.

Homemade treats will include cookies, sourdough, alfajores, and banana bread.

"Time may soften the impact of the images and sensations caused by a tragedy, but its effects continue to be felt by the (local) people and communities," says Escobar Trujillo. "They are not only living with the loss of so much, but, after one month, may also begin to feel alone and forgotten."

"That is what we do not want to happen: for the tragedy to fade from our memory or for these communities to feel forgotten. Through this bake sale, we want to send a simple message: you are not alone. "

Lopez-Correa offers her thanks to all the volunteer bakers who have helped support this cause. "Now we need you," she says. "Come by, bring your neighbours and friends, pick up something delicious, and give what you can."

"Come for the baking, stay for the community, and help us make a difference."

Bake Sale for Colombia

Saturday, September 19

11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

310 Mountain Drive, Lions Bay