Ad exec feeds downtrodden Venezuelans fromhis bicycle

Once- rich oil- producing country’s economy may shrink 25% this year.

CARACAS, VENEZUELA— Andrés Burgos’ world was becoming increasingly solitary. The office of his advertising firm was practically empty, thanks to Venezuela’s crushing economic crisis, and many of his relatives had sought a brighter future abroad.

So Burgos marshaled his cooking skills to reach out to others: the hungry who normally survive by rummaging through piles of garbage for food on the streets of Caracas.

Burgos, 55, started handing out arepas — Venezuela’s beloved corn flour patties — from the seat of his bicycle to needy children, adults and the elderly.

He calls it Bici Arepazo, which translates roughly as Bike Arepas.

Burgos started small with his own money a year ago, passing out a few arepas on his route from home to the office or in visits to nearby hospitals. His efforts have grown steadily after family, friends and small- business owners learned about them on social media and asked if they could pitch in.

In March, after authorities imposed stiff quarantine measures to combat the coronavirus, the number of homeless and even well- dressed people he saw digging through garbage increased.

That’s when he went from handing out 20 arepas a day to 150.

Hunger was a problem in Venezuela before the pandemic struck. At the end of February, the United Nations World Food Program reported that one- third of Venezuelans were suffering from food insecurity. The International Monetary Fund predicts that the economy in Venezuela, a once- wealthy oil- producing country, could contract by 25% this year.

For a year now, Burgos has arisen at 3 a. m. at least five days a week. He kneads a large ball of white corn flour to make his arepas and fills them with ham, chicken, lentils, carrots or zucchini. Burgos places each one — still hot from the griddle — into a plastic bag. He ties each with a small knot and drops them in his black backpack. At daybreak, he hops on his bike and begins his journey.

Some homeless have become regular customers. They rush up when they see him pull up or hear the whistle he blows.

“A smile is the best reward,” said Burgos.

Hunger was a problemin Venezuela before the pandemic struck. At the end of February, the United Nations World Food Program reported that one- third of Venezuelans were suffering from food insecurity.

ARIANACUBILLOS/ ASSOCIATED PRESS PublicistAndresBurgos, 55, hands outhomemade arepas lastmonth inMacuto, Venezuela. He rode to the seaside city inVenezuela’s La Guaira state accompanied by other cyclists to distribute arepas to needy children, adults and the elderly.