Project Report
| Apr 21, 2023
The Cuenca Soup Kitchen continues
By Desmion Dizney | Director
The Cuenca Soup Kitchen continues to keep its focus firmly on
distributing tons of food to the needy and vulnerable in Cuenca,
Ecuador. Food is the foundation but we know that our
beneficiaries often need more so we deliver. Health, hygiene, and
the health of the planet are priorities and so we have teamed with
GelWear, an Ecuadorian company to provide all of the babies in
our program with reusable and biodegradable diapers. $100
provides a diaper kit that will last for 2.5 to 3 years. For $30 CSK
provides reusable feminine hygiene kits that will last for 5 years.
The hygiene program joins HeartStrings which provides warm
hats, scarves, and blankets for the young, the sick, and the
vulnerable. Our Birthday Abuelita program continues to provide
every child with a “birthday in a bag” so that families can celebrate
those special moments together. Children’s Day, Christmas, and
providing school supplies are important ongoing initiatives. Giving
a hand up rather than a hand out with these programs helps CSK
beneficiaries better their lives and their futures.
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Dec 22, 2022
MAKING BIG CHANGES
By Desmoin Dizney | Project Leader
The Cuenca Soup Kitchen’s focus is to give families a hand up through targeted food distribution. This initiative has impacted 1,000s of vulnerable people in and around Cuenca, Ecuador. This year CSK continued this goal…and much more! CSK’s Hygiene Product and Education initiative joined the Aubuelita’s Birthday program (providing birthdays for each child in the program) and the Heartstings program (knitting for babies, seniors, and the vulnerable). CSK continued to work with Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the latest project (to reduce CSK’s eco-footprint) is up for the coveted President’s award. Disaster relief included both short term as well as long term sustainable solutions for Marianza, a small town devastated by landslides. CSK teamed with the US Consul General to provide school supplies to all of the school-age children in the program, helping to ensure a better future for them. Reading glasses were distributed to adults in need. CSK volunteers and beneficiaries celebrated Mother’s Day, Children’s Day and are preparing to celebrate Christmas. To implement these goals CSK partnered with other organizations, businesses, artists, and individuals. All of this was accomplished while keeping the focus firmly on the tons of food CSK distributes each month.
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Sep 2, 2022
Cuenca Soup Kitchen Increases Its Reach By Over 9%
By Desmion Dizney | Director
Cuenca, like the rest of Ecuador, has suffered a series of economic setbacks. In addition to the Pandemic, Ecuador has weathered a national strike which had a far reaching economic impact. At the same time that food prices shot up, wages were lost. The numbers on our waiting list began to increase as well. In response CSK redoubled its fundraising efforts and increased the number we serve to approximately 1,000 people. Although we, like many organizations, feel the impact of donor fatigue, our boots on the ground volunteers have made all the difference. Their efforts have allowed this growth to happen and provided much needed food assistance to many more families while continuing to support hygiene programs, children’s initiatives, and disaster relief. Our current waiting list is equal in size to the number of people currently being served. With the threat of another national strike on the horizon, we are preparing for even more applicants. The need is real but the Cuenca Soup Kitchen will continue to provide relief to those who need it most.
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