May 4, 2020
Hello Dear Readers:
I'd like to start out by thanking all of you that have made it a point to support Chile Lindo in these uncertain times. Thank you! Thank you to so many of you that simply said, "We just want to support your business." Thank you to so many of you that called on your neighbors to group numerous orders per delivery trip. Thank you to those of you that called on friends and relatives to suggest that they place an order. Thank you to those that met me half way to pick up the boxes and distribute them at the final destination. The logistics for these deliveries at long distances are working out because there's no traffic and everybody is home. I must say, I'm finally learning the Bay Area map beyond the Mission District. It's been quite an adventure and now that I'm making the deliveries myself, I feel like the empanada cartel, meeting my connection at an address in Richmond to send off the boxes to Davis while getting more and more people hooked on Chile Lindo empanadas. It's been great to see old friends and to make new ones.
At Chile Lindo, getting creative to make ends meet is nothing new. The difference is that now I'm not alone at it--we're all in the same boat. All one can do is just "take it one day at a time" and keep rowing... just keep going because somehow it all works out in the end. Also, it's never a good idea to have expectations for help from government stimulus grants and loans that promise to help the smallbiz-minorities-women-owned bla, bla, bla. It's nothing but propaganda. Those stimulus packages have two purposes: first, they line the pockets of the well connected, and second, they make it look like they care and that they're actually doing something. If you expect anything from these rescue missions, all you get is a doze of frustration that depletes you. I've applied here and there for City, State and Federal grants, but I'm not counting on any of it. I haven't even seen the $1,200 stimulus check bearing the all mighty signature. Fortunately, the due dates on license fees and taxes were moved to mid-year and I communicate with my landlords (2 businesses and my home) in order to make arrangements that I can live up to. I think it's clear that all people ever want to do is just to be able to pay their bills. That's it. This is why I am truly grateful to all of you that are supporting Chile Lindo at this time because in the end the quality of my work and the community that supports me is the only thing I can really count on. Gracias. Gracias.
Above all, stay safe and healthy!
Paula Tejeda
Chile Lindo
