Our Story

Living to Serve / AVIS was born out of a deeply personal journey and a divine calling.

Our founder, Rudy Gonzalez, was first introduced to the realities of extreme poverty as a young boy. His father often brought him along to remote communities, where Rudy witnessed, for the first time, the difficult conditions many families endured. These early experiences planted a seed of compassion and purpose that would grow over the years.

Rudy went on to attend university and work with other humanitarian organizations, always carrying with him the memory of those communities and the people he met. Despite his career success, he felt a growing burden—a spiritual calling that he could not ignore. In 2010, Rudy sensed God speaking clearly to his heart, placing Matthew 20:28 as a divine mandate over his life. God said, "This is what I want you to do. Live to Serve."

In 2012, Rudy answered that call with obedience and humility. With nothing more than a motorcycle and a deep commitment to serve, he began traveling to rural communities, surveying the needs of the people. What he found was overwhelming: widespread hunger, lack of access to medical care, and few educational opportunities. Yet he was undeterred.

The first initiative began simply—with food. His very first donation came from his mother, who owned a restaurant at the time. Her support helped launch the feeding program that would become the cornerstone of what Living to Serve / AVIS is today.

From those humble beginnings, the organization has grown into a multifaceted mission. Today, we continue to feed the hungry, provide medical assistance, and educate future generations—all while walking alongside the communities we serve in love, faith, and humility.

At Living to Serve / AVIS, we remain rooted in our calling and committed to the words of Matthew 20:28. We believe that serving others is not just an action, but a way of life.

​