In December 1990, record freezing temperatures destroyed most of the citrus crop in the Central Valley. More than 30,000 farmworkers had no work, and their more than 100,000 family members had no income. Even before the freeze, poverty, unemployment and hunger were serious problems in the area.
Community organizer M. Gloria Hernandez, on her own initiative, realized that when times are hard, rent, food and utilities come first and the last in line for scarce resources are women and girls. She put together a project to gather and donate personal hygiene products. That is how Mothers Helping Mothers began.
Over the years, there have been droughts, migra attacks and just regular hard times. Mothers will always sacrifice to provide for their families…