BELOIT — Sharing their time and talent in appreciation for the Catholic education their children are receiving at Our Lady of the Assumption (OLA) School, 10 Hispanic families work together each month to offer “Taco Sunday.”
It’s become a popular event for OLA parishioners and the community as the families offer authentic tacos for three dollars each.
The tacos, snacks, and soft drinks are served in the school cafeteria on the third Sunday of each month during the school year.
Lively Hispanic music adds to the celebration of education and the sharing of heritage as the volunteers welcome their guests.
“Our families work together and do this with smiles and kindness. The joy radiates to everyone,” observed OLA School Principal Trevor Seivert.
Working together
According to volunteer Dalia Alacron, the authentic tacos are made from corn tortillas stuffed with a choice of asada (steak) or pastor (marinated pork,) with various toppings.
Chicharrones, a crispy fried flour snack, and elote, a flavored corn treat, are also for sale.
“All the food, including the meat, tortillas, and snacks, is cooked and prepared from fresh ingredients on Taco Sunday,” said Alacron.
She and her husband are parents of five children — three are students at OLA School, one attends Boylan High School in Rockford, Ill., and a two-year-old is at home.
Though “Taco Sunday” is an all-day project, Alacron said the families enjoy working together.
“We appreciate and give thanks for the Catholic education our kids are receiving. And we want to earn funds to help our kids and all children who attend OLA School with tuition assistance,” she explained.
OLA Pastor Fr. Mike Resop, said, “I’m so impressed with the dedication of these families that are doing ‘Taco Sunday.’ They are hard-working with a spirit of joy and happiness, and the whole family is involved. The monies raised benefit the OLA School Tuition Assistance Fund. It is for any family that needs it at OLA School.”
Father Resop added that the average amount raised by the families is $1,200 per Sunday. “So far the total amount is almost $4,000,” he said.
Originally, “Taco Sunday” began as a fundraiser for St. Peter Parish and School in South Beloit, Ill. as a way to “give back,” according to Luis Castro, main coordinator for the fundraiser.
When St. Peter School closed a year ago, 32 children from the school transferred to OLA School said Seivert.
The St. Peter parents now serve Taco Sunday six months at each parish.
Seivert said, “The families from St. Peter’s value and appreciate the importance of Catholic education. They’ve become an integral part of OLA School.”
He added, “In today’s world, our church is more diverse including many people of Hispanic heritage. We at OLA School are embracing that.”
Working together
Castro humbly shared that the families enjoy the camaraderie of working together.
“The time and work we put into this is very little compared to the education our kids receive from OLA School,” he sincerely stated.
“We invite everyone to come and enjoy our tacos,” he added.
Alacron said the fellowship while contributing to OLA School adds to the enjoyment for the families.
“The men have fun while doing all the preparing and cooking in the kitchen. We call them the ‘Taco Dads’,” she said.
This fellowship extends to students who are willing helpers at the event.
Seventh-grader Alan Rodriguez, smiling and kidding with other students, said, “I really enjoy doing this and it also counts for my Works of Mercy project at school.”
According to Alacron, in order to get the taco project started, each participating family donated $50 for food and supplies.
Thereafter, each month only the cost of the meat purchased is taken from the profits. The families donate money for the rest of the needed items each month.
Father Resop expressed his appreciation for the fundraiser.
“Thank you to the generous and talented families who put the taco fundraiser together . . . What a great example of stewardship and dedication to Catholic Education.”