By Daria Dixon | Head of Operations
Objective: Providing essential food items and hygiene products to asylum seekers, refugees, and forcibly displaced individuals in need.
Project Overview: foodKIND is a humanitarian organization founded in 2016 that was initiated with the primary goal of addressing food insecurity among asylum seekers, refugees, and forcibly displaced individuals in Greece. Since November 2022, we have been providing monthly food packages consisting of dried items like rice, pasta, flour, chickpeas, beans, lentils, tinned items such as tuna and tomato, as well as essential supplies like oil, salt, sugar, and milk. Additionally, we have included hygiene items, including sanitary pads for women, to ensure the well-being of those we serve.
Beneficiaries: The project has primarily focused on individuals within the asylum-seeking, refugee, and forcibly displaced community who are identified as the most vulnerable and in need. The beneficiaries are selected through a needs assessment to determine their eligibility for support.
Project Activities
Food Distribution: The core activity of FoodKIND has been the distribution of food and hygiene packages to approximately 350 individuals per month. We have been working with an appointment system, where beneficiaries are given appointments to pick up their food and hygiene supplies each month. This system has helped us maintain a structured and organized approach to serving our beneficiaries.
Needs Assessments: To ensure that the project reaches those who are most in need, a rigorous needs assessment has been conducted for every individual seeking assistance. This assessment includes an evaluation of their living conditions, income, family size, medical issues, and other factors that determine their eligibility for the program. We also have a mobility outreach program whereby we deliver food to those most vulnerable who are unable to come to the shop in person.
Achievements
Over the course of our project, FoodKIND has achieved significant milestones:
1. Served 350 Individuals Monthly: We have consistently provided food and hygiene support to 350 individuals each month, ensuring they have access to essential items. Over the last 11 months, this means we have served more than 3.850 individuals with food.
2. Support Duration: Each beneficiary has received a minimum of six appointments, equating to six months of support, which is our standard starting point. This has helped us make a substantial impact on their food security.
3. Maintained Quality Control: Our commitment to providing high-quality and nutritious food items has been upheld throughout the project.
Challenges
While FoodKIND has made significant strides in helping vulnerable communities, we have faced various challenges throughout the project, including:
1. Funding Issues: Unfortunately, due to a significant funding issue, we have struggled to maintain the project's financial sustainability.
2. Decline in Funding: Over time, we have witnessed a substantial decline in funding support, particularly in Greece. The decreased availability of resources has posed a major challenge for the project's continuation.
3. Reduced Media Attention: The decline in media attention has further limited our capacity to attract new donors and garner support for the project.
Conclusion
It is with deep regret that we announce the closure of the FoodKIND project by the end of this year. While the project is critically important in addressing food insecurity among asylum seekers, refugees, and forcibly displaced individuals, the increasing difficulty in securing funding and the decline in public interest for food security initiatives have left us with no viable alternative.
We want to reassure our donors that we have ensured everyone on our list has received at least six appointments, which translates to six months of support, as per our standard commitment. We are committed to seeing the existing support through to completion. The most vulnerable cases that we have identified, we have transferred to other organisations we are partnered with here also providing food assistance, to ensure that they continue to be receive support after we close.
We would like to express our profound gratitude to our donors, supporters, and volunteers who have been instrumental in the success of FoodKIND. Your contributions have made a meaningful difference in the lives of those we have served. Although this project must come to a close, the impact it has had on the communities it served will not be forgotten.
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