Ronald Reagan was President.
Canada hosted the Winter Olympics for the first time.
Laser eye surgery was invented and Rain Man was the highest-grossing movie.
A gallon of gas cost 91 cents.
The population of Mesa reached nearly 280,000, and Red Mountain High School opened.
In February, a Town Hall meeting was held at St. Tim’s where parishioners decided to sponsor a food service and family shelter in the East Valley. The hunger, poverty and homeless crisis had begun. Paz de Cristo became the focus of all of St. Timothy’s Corporal Works of Mercy: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked and shelter the homeless. The vision included an interfaith component where multiple faith communities would pool both financial and human resources to serve the needs of our neighbors in the East Valley.
In July, the first location opened: a little yellow house at 559 S Country Club Drive. An emergency food pantry and clothing bank was put in motion. Volunteers provided information and referrals to other community services.
On September 15, the first meal was prepared at the little yellow house. Food, tables, chairs and all were transported to the in the parking lot at the corner of Hibbert & Main Streets in Mesa. Twelve guests were served. In the beginning, two meals were provided each week.
By January 1989, dinner was served every night of the year.
Paz soon outgrew its home on Country Club Drive. A new building site was secured, ground breaking was on October 2, 1993, and shells of the new metal buildings were donated.
The first meal in the new facility was a breakfast served on January 15, 1994. The blessing and dedication of the buildings was on February 12, 1994.
Nurse Judy and the Mobile Medical Clinic give access to medical care.
Paz de Cristo becomes a separate 501(c)3, nonprofit organization in October.
Jobs Program Begins in March.
Paz Participates in the Mesa Mayor’s “Housing Our Heroes” Campaign in July.
New Hope Garden Supplies Fresh Herbs and Vegetables in April.
Paz Facilities Receive Major Upgrades in November.
New Shower Program Begins.
Free Haircuts by Licensed Cosmetologists and Barbers are Offered.
Guests Gain Access to Free Professional Clothing and Casual Wear.
Arizona Identification and Birth Certificates Equip People to Find Jobs.
Mail Service is Now Available.
New, Refrigerated Truck Enables Transportation of Fresh and Frozen Foods.
Marc Community Resources Office with Three Navigators Opens On-Site in March.
Caring, generous donors and volunteers are the heart and soul that fuel Paz de Cristo’s efforts. Thanks to you, Paz has become an integral part of the network of services for people in need in the East Valley.
YOU make all the difference on the mission to Feed, Clothe and Empower.
Of every dollar given to Paz de Cristo, 93 cents goes directly to help people struggling with hunger, poverty and homelessness.