Worldwide Beth Myriam Monthly Information Letter-November 2024

Food Delivery Service for Children at Beth Myriam Tokyo

The Beth Myriam in Tokyo, which was established in 2005, served as a soup kitchen for the homeless in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo until March 2020, and was fully supported by Fr. Heinrich Jokiel S.J., who passed away in 2023. The soup kitchen had to be closed due to the 2020 Corona disaster. Since then, we, the Beth Myriam volunteers, looked for a way to rekindle the mission, and since April 2024 we have resumed our services in a different, more modern way.

We used to run the soup kitchens for the homeless people at some venues, but the number of people living on the streets in Tokyo has decreased due to the efforts of the government. Alternately, we focused on a recently surfaced a problem in Japan, which is the increasing number of poor families who are unable to feed their children. These families, especially those with single mothers, are falling into poverty, and as a consequence, more and more people are setting up children’s cafeterias-a charity project, in various parts of the country. These places are usually local eateries that provide meals free of charge to children who cannot afford to eat.

It is not convenient for the participants of the TLIG Tokyo Prayer Group to host the Beth Myriams, since they live in different areas. In addition, it is not practical to find a venue for our Beth Myriam services in one given location in Tokyo, as land prices are high and it is too costly to have a shop in any particular area. Therefore, we have started to support the needy families by delivering food directly to them using online supermarkets, which are becoming increasingly popular.

Food Provided for the Families by the Volunteers

At the moment, foodstuffs are provided twice a month to seven families. Here are some comments from single mothers who have received the foods.

One mother expressed:

“Due to the sudden change in the economy, we were faced with a situation in which we asked ourselves, ‘What are we going to eat tomorrow?’ We had to find a solution to our circumstance.”

Another mother claimed:

“My son knows to some extent that we lack the ability to buy food, so he asked me, “What’s for dinner tonight?” instead of a morning greeting. It is rather hard for me to face this dilemma. Fortunately, I was told about this Beth Myriam support. I reached out to this mission so that my children and I could survive. We received food, and realized that it was not only physical support we obtained, but also the feeling that we are not alone; we have the encouragement to do our best! I received emotional support, as if our Blessed Mother was saying to me, ‘You are not alone; hang in there!’ I had hot food again this morning and was able to give my son his lunch. Thank you!”

Feed one child

Every child deserves food. If you cannot feed 100 children, feed just one. With as little as $18 per month, a week’s worth of coffee, you can provide all that a child needs. Think of that. What good you will do to a soul with so little money.

Thank you for your loving interest and care towards feeding the poor and needy.

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