Feeding the Hungry - Feed My Sheep Association

South Park Township resident
and Brentwood native Mitch
Zychowski Jr.’s life changed
when he traveled to Costa Rica
to pursue a business venture in
the tourism industry.
Four years ago, Zychowski
paid his first visit to the Central
American nation. But it wasn’t
until May 2006 that he became
aware of the plight of more
than 300 children living in
the shantytown Triangulo de
Solidaridad.
During a plane ride back
to the States, Zychowski and
friend Bill Starkowski of Bethel
Park were reading the Tico
Times, an English newspaper
circulated in Central America.
Zychowski said he often reads
the publication to learn more
about the culture and government of Costa Rica.
“I was reading an article in
the Tico Times about poverty,”
Zychowski recalled. “It broke
my heart, myself and Bill. We
were both crying on the airplane, and people were just
looking at us.”
In the 18 months since reading that article, Zychowski,
Starkowicz and friend Jack
Benson of Jefferson Hills have
visited Triangulo de Solidaridad
several times.
“Now, it’s like my second
home,” Zychowski said, speaking in general terms of Costa
Rica. “I spend about four or
five months out of the year over
there.”
Zychowski and several partners are building a San Jose
resort, featuring 21 villas, a
restaurant, pool and other amenities. He said he wants to help
local people in the community
where he’s doing business.
“When I first saw the children
at Triangulo de Solidaridad,
they had no hope,” he recalled.
“They didn’t have food. If they
had food, they didn’t have a
bowl to put it in. Some of
the kids quit going to school
because they didn’t have a pencil.”
A community kitchen, founded in 2005 by Catholic priest
the Rev. Luis Gonzalo Mateo,
who moved to Costa Rica from
Spain, offers one hot meal daily
to more than 300 children
in the shantytown. Many of
the children are orphans; others are Nicaraguan refugees.
Zychowski’s group Asociacion
Apacienta Mis Ovegas, which
translates to Feed My Sheep
Foundation, contributes $2,500
each month to keep the kitchen
running. Nearly 30 mothers
have taken ownership of the
kitchen’s daily operation.
By hosting golf outings,
seeking help from friends and
making personal donations,
Zychowski has built a solid
framework for an organization that intends to support
Triangulo de Solidaridad for as
long as necessary.
“We give them a lot of hope,
and with hope comes faith,”
Zychowski said.
“If you look at the pictures,
and you look into their eyes,
they know that somebody
out there cares about them. I
can’t even put it into words. I
cry because I’m so happy for
them.
“They know us. We’re not
just some Americans who are
helping them out. They know
our names. We sit with them.
We eat with them. We dance
with them. They show us their
homework.”
Asociacion Apacienta Mis
Ovejas receives local support from Zychowski’s friends
and neighbors, the Brother’s
Brother Foundation and the
Definitely You Boutique in
Brentwood Towne Square. Also,
readers of the Tico Times from
across Central America and the
United States have contributed
after learning of the cause. The
organization receives monetary
donations, clothing and other
necessities.
“I just tell my story and people help me,” Zychowski said.
“We need more awareness out
there.”
Zychowski said he hopes
to expand the
mission of
Asociacion Apacienta Mis
Ovejas to include a housing
endeavor. He wants to join
forces with local churches that
already conduct missions in
Costa Rica to construct at least
40 new homes.
To learn more about Asociacion
Apacienta Mis Ovejas, contact
Mitch Zychowski at 412-973-1120
or mitch@enjoycouponbook.com,
Bill Starkowicz at 412-596-3369 or
debreddick@comcast.net, and Jack
Benson at 412-303-2481 or John.
Benson@Friendlys.com.