Elkhart donation drive fills truck with supplies for Venezuela earthquake victims

ELKHART, Ind. -- More than 50 volunteers gathered in Elkhart on Sunday to pack a truck full of donations bound for Venezuela, where two powerful earthquakes on June 24 left communities rebuilding after widespread destruction.

The donation drive, organized by Panas en Chicago, filled a trailer with about 300 boxes in just six hours. The shipment included canned food, medical supplies and hygiene products.

Panas en Chicago, a nonprofit organization that supports Venezuelans living in the United States, shifted its focus to providing aid in Venezuela following back-to-back 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes.

"They're not just Venezuelans. There are Colombians, Mexicans, people from Honduras and Americans too. I'm so grateful," said Maria Rojas with Panas en Chicago.

It was a full community effort, with volunteers from several backgrounds helping to pack the materials with local business DeliaMar Mega Shop providing trucks.

Rojas — who is from Venezuela, said the disaster has been deeply personal for many members of the Venezuelan community living in the U.S.

"I feel that when you leave your country, there's a part of you that stays there," Rojas said. "My family is still there, and even though they are okay, I always think, 'What would I do if it was my family? What would I want people to do if it was my loved ones?'"

The nonprofit, whose name translates to "Friends in Chicago," partnered with local businesses to organize the donation drive in northwestern Indiana. Panas en Chicago continues to accept physical donations at multiple drop-off locations throughout the Chicago area.