Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico – As hurricane season sets in and the off-season slows the local economy, Vallarta Cares is stepping up to support Puerto Vallarta’s most vulnerable residents. With many seasonal workers now unemployed, the need for food, healthcare, and basic resources is growing fast.
Each summer, when tourists and snowbirds head north, low-wage workers in hospitality, beach sales, and cleaning services are left without income. This seasonal shift hits hardest for those who already live on the edge – families with limited access to food, the elderly, the homeless, and women escaping abuse.
Vallarta Cares continues to be a crucial safety net for these at-risk groups, offering a wide range of free services that help people meet daily needs and build a better future.
Among the most urgent supports are hot meals, available daily to those facing food insecurity. Families can also visit the Community Store for pantry staples and essential goods. In 2024 alone, Vallarta Cares served over 116,000 meals and delivered weekly food packages to 120 families.
Health services are another key part of their outreach. With a clinic that saw more than 170 patients last year, Vallarta Cares provides medical and dental care to people who otherwise couldn’t afford it.
Education is also a focus. Through English classes and trade workshops, the organization empowers more than 80 students annually with skills that improve job opportunities.
Other services include:
• Natural disaster relief: Emergency food, water, and supplies when storms strike
• Social programs: Activities that build connection and reduce isolation
• Hot showers and laundry: For those without reliable water or electricity
• Filtered drinking water: Safe and clean water for families
• Bazar and donation center: Clothing, household items, and supplies for daily life
In total, Vallarta Cares supports over 500 individuals through its partner organizations and ongoing programs. And they do it efficiently – just $25 USD a month (less than the cost of a cup of coffee per day) provides a week’s worth of meals for a family in need.
To keep these services going strong, Vallarta Cares needs your help. You can make a difference by donating canned or dried foods, clean clothing, hygiene items, baby supplies, or unused medicine. Donations are accepted Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm at their main location, Rio Lerma 468, Colonia Lopez Mateos – ring the bell if the door is closed. Additional drop-off points include Carolina Del Mar Collective in Versalles, Di Vino Dante in Zona Romántica, and Los Muertos Clothing in 5 de Diciembre.
Monetary donations can be made securely online via donorbox.org. Every donation counts. Together, we can help Vallarta Cares continue to serve those who need it most.
To learn more, volunteer, or donate, please visit vallartacares.org, and be sure to like/follow them on Facebook to stay up to date on what they are doing.
The Vallarta Cares is 100% volunteer based, but all of their work would be impossible without the generosity of donors and supporters. If you would like to help the families of Puerto Vallarta get through trying times, please visit vallartacares.org for donation information. If you would like to receive a U.S. tax receipt for your donation, please visit casajojofoundation.org.
