The Auta de Souza Food Drive is a project that combines charitable giving with spiritual outreach. Inspired by the life and legacy of Auta de Souza, a Brazilian poetess known for her compassion and dedication to helping others, this project seeks to:
The project happens in two main steps:
Step 1: Volunteers go door-to-door to introduce the project and distribute a letter and donation bag, explaining what items are needed and how the family can participate.
Step 2: One week later, volunteers return to collect the donated items left at the door, which are then sorted and distributed to families in need.
Every Auta de Souza Food Drive begins with a moment of prayer, Gospel reading, and inspiration from Auta de Souza’s poetry. This sets the tone for the day, grounding volunteers in the spirit of love, humility, and service.
Auta de Souza Food Drive begins with a collective prayer, a reading from the Gospel, and a poem by Auta de Souza. This sets the tone for the day, inspiring volunteers with a spirit of love, humility, and service — so they may begin their work with divine protection and inspiration.”
The Auta de Souza Food Drive is much more than a food drive. It is an opportunity to:
Practice charity with love and compassion.
Bring spiritual comfort to families through the message of Master Jesus.
Inspire volunteers to become compassionate, service-minded individuals.
Strengthen community bonds through kindness and solidarity.
Offer people the chance to do good from the comfort of their own homes.
Volunteers are encouraged to embody the spirit of kindness, humility, and prayer during every visit. Every knock at the door is an opportunity to connect heart to heart, whether the family donates or not. Silent prayers are offered for each home, and all visits conclude with a heartfelt blessing: “God bless your home.”
After collection, all donations are sorted by type and size at Our House of the Way, ensuring they are distributed effectively to families experiencing food insecurity in Benton Harbor.
The project also delivers something priceless — words of comfort and hope, reminding families that they are seen, valued, and not alone.
The project is named in honor of Auta de Souza, whose life was marked by compassion, faith, and service to the poor despite her own hardships. Her poetry, often filled with reflections on faith and the struggles of life, continues to inspire every volunteer who participates in this beautiful act of love.
Auta de Souza wrote:
You can support the Auta de Souza Food Drive by:
