Orlando Sends 40 Tons of Supplies to Colombia After Quake

When Juan Pablo Santa Luna felt the ground shake for two terrifying minutes in Colombia, he had no idea he'd soon be organizing a massive relief effort from his adopted home in Orlando.

The Mills Gallery director was visiting Cali on August 10 when a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck, killing 331 people and damaging more than 160,000 homes. He spent the following days delivering supplies to neighbors who lost everything.

Back in Orlando, Santa Luna knew Central Florida's 400,000 Colombian residents would want to help. He started encouraging donations to Give To Colombia, a nonprofit connecting directly with grassroots organizations on the ground.

Then something unexpected happened. Orlando resident Juliana Botero was in Miami visiting her hairstylist, who also styles Colombia's first lady, Ana Lucía Pineda. As a joke, they suggested reaching out about the relief effort.

The United Nations called back. They offered to send a 40-ton cargo plane, as long as volunteers could fill it.

The Ripple Effect

Within a week, Mecatos Bakery's warehouse transformed into a bustling donation hub. Volunteers sort nonperishable food, medical supplies, baby items, blankets and tents. Each box gets labeled by category, every barcode crossed out and marked "donation."

All nine Mecatos Bakery locations across Central Florida are accepting supplies through September 8. Stephanie Schütt Chacón, an ambassador for the Colombian American Chamber of Commerce, said the tragedy sparked something beautiful: unity.

"This emergency demonstrates the extraordinary strength of Colombians wanting to help other Colombians," she said. The response from Central Florida has been overwhelming.

For Botero, the motivation is simple. "This is personal for every Colombian. It's home, or it's home away from home," she explained. While Colombia's new president has stepped up, the resources available in the United States make a real difference.

Santa Luna sees this moment as Colombia's chance to rebuild stronger, like a phoenix rising from disaster.