Help Feed Hundreds of Hungry People

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.

Summary:
Join the Cuenca Soup Kitchen and change the future of thousands of food insecure children
and adults in Cuenca, Ecuador. Two million Ecuadorians suffer from severe hunger according to
the World Food Program. The Cuenca Soup Kitchen is committed to providing food and other
assistance to these families. By doing so, CSK provides greater access to health, education,
and hope. Food is the key to unlocking brighter futures
Challenge:
Aside from hunger, living hand to mouth has social and economic impacts. It leads to poorer
education and decreased earning power. Women, infants, children, and adolescents are at
particular risk. At 27%, Ecuador has the second-highest rate of chronic child malnutrition in Latin
America and the Caribbean (World Food Program). Hunger, unemployment, teen pregnancy,
and lack of education are the problems that most commonly impact this population. CSK
volunteers and donors have spent over six years dedicated to serving people with food
insecurity in Cuenca, Ecuador. With hundreds of people relying on us for food kits and other
assistance each month and with hundreds more on our waiting list, we're facing increased
demand for our services.
Solution:
CSK helps people break the cycle of poverty by addressing hunger first, empowering people to
improve their lives. CSK’s food kits provide nutritionally sound and culturally appropriate shelf-
stable foods rice, beans, grains, etc. as well as fresh produce and eggs.
Only 57% of primary-school-age children in Ecuador are enrolled in school which puts them at
risk of being exploited, getting married early, and earning less income (Starfish Foundation).
CSK is committed to changing that by ensuring that all children in our program are enrolled in
school and providing them with the school supplies they need for a better future.
Hygiene products are expensive and unobtainable by many. This means that disposable
diapers are often reused and during their cycles, girls and women will often use rags and
leaves. CSK teams with an Ecuadorian company that produces eco-friendly, reusable,
biodegradable diapers and sanitary napkins. The kits are distributed at physician-led workshops
which teach best practices for infant and female health. These workshops provide mothers and
daughters with accurate reproductive information and dispel old wives’ tales with the hope of
reducing the high rates of teen pregnancy as well as reducing time missed from school.
Long-term Impact:

Thousands of people have received nutritional assistance allowing them to focus on education
and a brighter future for their families. Their children have been provided with the tools they
need for school and all have been enrolled in public schools. Some have been able to finish
their university training and have joined the professional workforce. Others continue to work
towards financial security working to become teachers, doctors, comestologists, and more.
We want you to feel the gravity of our mission and the impact that your support will have. Every
tax deductible donation has the power to transform lives today and unlock brighter tomorrows!