There is a quiet sacrifice happening in every Catholic school in this city. Most people never see it.
The families choosing Catholic education for their children are not wealthy. They are choosing faith over comfort. The single mother who skips her own lunch to pay tuition. The grandmother raising four grandchildren on a fixed income. The family three months behind on payments who still shows up every morning — because they believe their child deserves safety, values, and a future.
And not one government program is designed to help them.
"Private school doesn't mean privilege. It means sacrifice. And sacrifice deserves support."
The Infinite Hope Foundation was founded by Ana Peña — a woman who came from El Salvador in 2006, built her life in this community, and after surviving COVID's financial devastation and a cancer diagnosis, asked one question: what do I do with the time God gave back to me?
The answer came while volunteering in a local Catholic school. Ana saw children arriving hungry. Teachers earning too little to eat well themselves. Maintenance workers — invisible, essential — with no support at all. The need was undeniable. The solution had to be built from scratch.
Ana watched a little boy throw away his entire lunch — untouched. She gently told him not to waste food. He looked at her with something she'll never forget: not relief — fear. He preferred to go hungry rather than say anything, because no adult had made him feel safe enough to speak up. A child choosing hunger over honesty. That was the day the Infinite Hope Foundation stopped being an idea and became a mission.
"I can't afford hot lunch every day. I have 4 children. Free lunch can be very helpful for families like ours."
"We would be so sad to not have this option. Blessings to a successful future!"
"So grateful to have you. Wish you were there sooner."
