Celebrity food trucks and prayers: Pasadena's fire refugees get help in many forms

PASADENA, Calif. (OSV News) -- Because the Eaton Fire consumed his Altadena home -- along with his work truck and tools -- Lorenzo Cervantes has no permanent place to live, and no way to make a living.

Now housed at the Pasadena Convention Center turned evacuation shelter, he and his wife lie on cots covered with Red Cross blankets, unable to sleep as they flash back to their night of terror.

"The fire kept coming and coming," said Cervantes, a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Altadena. "It was on our heels. We had to drive for miles. We could see big balls of fire dropping around us because of the winds. I was panicking, we just needed to escape the flames."

The Cervantes are among the many Catholic families staying at the shelter, each with a story of loss after one of California's worst wildfire disasters ever.

But as they grapple with the decisions ahead, clergy and fellow parishioners are mobilizing: Some are consoling evacuees at the shelter, others are transforming nearby churches and schools into hubs of hope.

Sacred Heart's pastor, Father Gilbert Guzmán, visited the shelter Saturday, Jan. 11 as flecks of ash still fell from the sky. He was there to offer blessings, anointing of the sick and lots of hugs.

"We have each other and we have the love that unites us, the love of God," Father Guzmán said. "That love gives us hope, gives us strength and helps us to persevere through these difficult times."

While relieved his church narrowly avoided destruction, Father Guzmán hurts for the parishioners who suddenly found themselves homeless. He prayed with Kevin Posada, who only had time to grab some spare clothes as he fled with his parents and siblings. Posada says he was heartbroken to learn all his possessions were gone, but believes God will provide.

"In the midst of the chaos, I was thinking, 'God, I know this is not the end, this is the beginning of a new chapter,'" said Posada, a Sacred Heart parishioner. "I have an intimate relationship with God, and I trust he's going to give us seven times what was taken away."

Altadena resident Jaime Rincon also feels blessed. After evacuating his family and livestock, including a horse, Rincon returned to his property and began hosing down flames. Then the unthinkable happened -- the water ran out.

"I felt helpless," Rincon said. "I was desperate. It seemed like I was inside a tornado of fire debris. Fortunately, I had my work truck with a water reservoir. I thank God I was able to save my house."

Just down the 210 Freeway in the shadows of the Eaton Fire, "Operation Gators Strong" was underway at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary School, a nod to the school's mascot. The campus was one of several locations hosting World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit organization that feeds disaster victims.

Inside his food truck, WCK Chef Corps member Daniel Shemtob deftly assembled his sweet and spicy steak tacos. The expectant father just lost his own home in the Palisades Fire but chose to move forward by doing what he does best.

"The team knew this was really meaningful for me and how meaningful it was for the community, and so everyone worked late last night to make this happen," said Shemtob, co-founder of The Lime Truck. "People are telling us their stories, things that are really difficult to hear but they love the tacos. That's how I give back."

Working at his side was celebrity chef Tyler Florence, who flew in from San Francisco. The Food Network star and restauranter says he is alarmed by the magnitude and frequency of natural disasters like the current wildfires.

"I couldn't imagine being anywhere else in the world right now," Florence said. "(These disasters) are starting to become the new normal so citizens, specifically citizens of California, have to stand up together and say it doesn't matter what happens, we always have each other's back."

In addition to the hot meal, evacuees received clothing and toiletries thanks to the generosity of the ABVM school, parish, its Scouts and St. Vincent de Paul ministry. Spanish teacher Cheli Valdez spearheaded the effort, bringing in some 150 volunteers who were "chomping at the bit" to serve.

"I felt this pull, this energy, this faith go into overdrive. We're going to help," Valdez said. "I want (evacuees) to know they don't walk this journey alone. Tell us what you need and we will give it to you."

The same sentiment could be felt at nearby St. Philip the Apostle Church in Pasadena, where many volunteers were also fire victims. Krista Corbello, who is coordinating the relief effort, is sleeping at the parish after being displaced. Using her experience of living in hurricane-prone Louisiana, she put out a donation wish list for evacuees, which parishioners quickly fulfilled and distributed.

"It's heartwarming to see people receive the generosity of the church, but the hope is holding hands with the grief," said Corbello, campus minister of Newman Center Pasadena. "People say they lost everything.

"We've cried together," she added. "It's hard."

It is so hard that some parishioners have questioned if God was punishing them. Father Tony Gomez, the pastor at St. Philip, was quick with his response.

"Absolutely the answer is no," Gomez said. "God doesn't operate like that. Psalm 46: 'God is our refuge and our strength and ever-present help in distress. Our stronghold is the Lord.'"

Back at the evacuation shelter, Father Guzmán continued making sure anyone needing spiritual comfort was cared for. He said fire victims deserve prayers and praise.

"I'm humbled by their faith, by their resilience," Father Guzmán said. "I'm humbled by their willingness to share what little they have left. They've shown me a strength of character that I haven't seen before."