Help Feed Hundreds of Hungry People

Summary

Two million Ecuadorians suffer from severe hunger according to the World Food Program. Food insecurity in Cuenca, Ecuador has been impacted by the mass migration of Venezuelan refugees, COVID, a host of natural disasters, two national strikes, and now extreme drought. This drought is perhaps the greatest challenge yet. Ecuador is dependent on hydroelectric power and without rain there is no electricity. The entire country is experiencing blackouts of 10 - 12 hours every day. Everything from agriculture to industry has been severely impacted and the economy is struggling more than ever. The people at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder have the fewest resources and suffer the most.

The Cuenca Soup Kitchen is committed to providing food and other assistance to families experiencing food insecurity in Cuenca, Ecuador. By addressing food insecurity, CSK provides greater access to health, education, and a more productive future. Because the current crisis has increased the number of people experiencing food insecurity, the number of people on our waiting list continues to increase.

Challenge

Food insecurity creates an often insurmountable burden for families. As a family's resources are dedicated to the daily search for food, education and health often suffer, thereby creating a cycle of poverty and food insecurity for generations to come.

Solution

By providing food kits the Cuenca Soup Kitchen decreases food insecurity, improves health, and gives families the ability to improve their futures. Each applicant is screened and monitored by a social worker. All children must attend school. As applicants reach stability they are transitioned out of the program and families from our waiting list are brought in.

Long-Term Impact

Reducing food insecurity positively impacts health both in the short and in the long term. It diminishes child malnutrition. It also provides opportunity for a better future as families can focus on education, increasing employment opportunities, and earning ability. These are positive impacts for families as well as for the community.

Summary

Two million Ecuadorians suffer from severe hunger according to the World Food Program. Because Cuenca, Ecuador continues to be impacted by the mass migration of Venezuelan refugees, COVID, a host of natural disasters, and two national strikes the Cuenca Soup Kitchen is committed to providing assistance to families experiencing food insecurity. By first addressing food insecurity, CSK is able to provide access to healthcare, education, and ultimately a more productive future.

ChallengeFood insecurity is an often insurmountable burden for families. Education and health suffer as more and more of a family's resources are dedicated to the daily search for food. This creates a cycle of poverty and food insecurity for generations. Solution

By providing food kits the Cuenca Soup Kitchen decreases food insecurity, improves health, and gives families the ability to improve their futures.

• Each of the current 1,000+ CSK beneficiaries is screened and monitored by a social worker.
• 540 families have received food kits since 2020 - a total of 3,240 bi-monthly food kits.
• All of the 200 children currently served by CSK are provided with school supplies and required to attend school.
• All of the over 400 children we have served since 2021 have received “birthdays in a bag” from our birthday abuelitas (grandparents). These cakes and gifts go home with the children allowing families to maintain important traditions.
• This year two CSK students are attending university. One is a nursing student and the other intends to pursue medicine.
• As applicants reach stability they are transitioned out of the program and families from our waiting list of over 200 people are brought in.
• All women and girls are provided with reusable, eco-friendly hygiene products in physician-led workshops. Over 200 women and girls have received these hygiene kits.
• All mothers of diaper-age babies are provided with reusable, eco-friendly diapers in physician-led workshops. Diaper kits have been distributed to 62 children.
• Beneficiaries in need of healthcare beyond the scope of the public system are treated in partnership with other foundations. This year a 13 year-old girl received sight-saving surgery, giving her the opportunity to continue her education and pursue a bright future.
• A widow has received additional support to care for her two children suffering from stage 4 osteogenesis imperfecta. One of the children is also both blind and deaf. This support has allowed the older two children to continue their education. The eldest is entering university to study medicine.

 Long-Term Impact

Reducing food insecurity positively impacts health both in the short and in the long term. It diminishes child malnutrition. It also provides an opportunity for a better future as families can focus on education, increasing employment opportunities, and earning ability. These are positive impacts for families as well as for the community.