12/25/2025
Dear Community,
I want to take a moment to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your continued support over the years—especially when I was more actively helping meet donation needs for the Kiwanis Family House and Ronald McDonald House for the past 8+ years.
I originally started my small catering gig to support the events I was doing for these two incredible organizations. My heart will always be with the Kiwanis families who travel from near and far to receive much-needed medical care here. Being able to support them, even in a small way, has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
As many of you know, I truly love feeding you all. However, about a year and a half ago, I began working full time with SCUSD in the Multilingual Literacy Department as a Parent Advisor. I currently support 30 school sites, working closely with our English Learner students and their families while helping strengthen parent participation across those communities. This work is incredibly fulfilling to me, especially because I was once an EL student myself.
With all of that said, I had every intention of making tamales this year like I always do. Unfortunately, over the past two weeks my kiddos have been dealing with a nasty virus that’s been going around, and I ended up catching it as well. Because of this, I won’t be able to do tamales this year.
I sincerely apologize. This isn’t “just something I do”—it has always been my way of being part of your family during the Christmas season, something I’ve cherished for so many years. That connection has meant the world to me.
I wish you all the very best for you and your families. Merry Christmas, and may the New Year bring you everything—and more—than you wished for.
Thank you again for your continued support of Marcela’s Kitchen, for the donations you have provided over the years, and above all for your ongoing support of my husband and our family’s small landscaping business. Because of you, we are able to provide for our family and continue giving back to our community.
With so much gratitude,
Marcela ❤️
