Staff of La Vida Mission sort and box produce ahead of providing relief distribution to the Navajo Nation. Photo courtesy of La Vida Mission.
Upon entering the Thanksgiving season facing a 14-day lockdown order on Nov. 16, 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, many in New Mexico, especially within the Navajo Nation wrestled with exercising gratitude.
Staff of the La Vida Mission, a comprehensive community services center for the Navajo, located in Farmington, New Mexico – that also serves as a K-12 boarding academy – were also considering what they were grateful for, especially after their school was required to hold classes remotely under the new guidelines.
“All schools, including private systems, were mandated to transition to remote learning [until Dec. 21]. We temporarily suspended our face-to-face classes, a difficult situation as our students depend on it and benefit so much even from our one-day-a-week, face-to-face instruction,” said Dorie Panganiban, outreach director for La Vida Mission.
As a result of the lockdown, grocery and retail stores, gas stations, and all other essential services on the Navajo Nation reservation operate on limited daytime hours. People are struggling and many are discouraged at the increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases. This prompted La Vida Mission staff to think of their response.
“We have to [continue providing ways to] help alleviate the people’s plight,” said Panganiban.
Staff of La Vida Mission prepare to distribute fresh produce, hand sanitizer, and propane to 250 families of the Navajo Nation. Photo courtesy of La Vida Mission
Staff made arrangements to contribute to a pop-up relief distribution center at a flea market on the grounds of the Crownpoint Chapter of the Navajo Nation two days after the mandate was enacted. Through partnerships with non-profit organizations, including Partnership with Native Americans (PWNA) and Navajo Strong, La Vida Mission organized pallets of fresh produce, and 100 gallons of hand sanitizer for distribution. In addition, donors provided funds to help offer free propane refills.
Upon arriving at the relief distribution center, 200 cars were waiting for assistance. The Navajo police and Crownpoint Chapter leaders and fire officials joined the La Vida Mission staff prior to the distribution for a prayer of thanksgiving for the donated items and the families receiving the needed items.
“As I looked at all those vehicles lined up and waiting for four to six hours for a propane refill, food, and other essentials, I told our La Vida staff, ‘If these people didn’t need what we’re giving, they wouldn’t stay this long in line to receive it,'” Panganiban reflected.
By the end of the of the day, La Vida Mission had provided food, sanitizer, and propane refills to more than 250 families.
“I thank God for many reasons that words can’t express,” added Panganiban.
Dorie Panganiban, is outreach director and office manager for La Vida Mission.