By Evelina Eskenazi | Founder and Director
Over the past months, the way we distribute food has changed significantly. What was once one of several ways we supported people experiencing food insecurity in Athens has now become our largest and most important method of food distribution: takeaway meals. With a full-time distribution office now operating, we are able to respond more consistently to the changing needs of the people who rely on us, ensuring that food reaches those who need it, when they need it. In the last two months alone, we have prepared 12,602 takeaway meals, accounting for 78% of all the meals we distribute. These numbers represent more than an increase in demand; they reflect a changing reality for people living in increasingly precarious circumstances across the city.
Month after month, the number of people coming to us for food continues to rise. Housing insecurity, the emptying of temporary accommodation camps, displacement and the general movement of people through Athens have all contributed to this growing need. We are also seeing a larger number of people experiencing homelessness turning to us as a regular source of food. For many, the uncertainty of where they will sleep, where they will go next or how they will meet their most basic needs makes access to a reliable meal particularly important. Takeaway distribution allows us to respond to this reality.
Our September figures demonstrate just how significant this demand has become. During the month, we recorded 918 service users, a 12% increase since July, alongside 96 new service users, representing a 43% increase compared with July. We distributed 5,315 takeaway portions throughout September, with our bussiest day reaching as many as 355 portions.
Our support is reaching an increasingly diverse population, whose circumstances can change from one week to the next. The people coming through our doors reflect the varied reality of food insecurity in Athens, with the proportion of Greek service users reaching a new highs between 57 - 62% between September and October. This highlights that food insecurity affects people across nationalities, backgrounds and circumstances, including both long-standing residents and those who have only recently arrived in the city. The need for food support knows no boundaries.
Access to food should not depend on someone's ability to navigate complicated administrative systems, provide extensive documentation or commit to a lengthy registration process. Yet, for many people experiencing hardship in Athens, finding consistent access to a meal remains difficult. Emergency support may exist, but regular, accessible food provision is far less straightforward, particularly for people without stable housing, reliable internet access, identification documents or a fixed daily routine. We believe that food is a basic necessity, not something that should require people to overcome additional barriers to obtain. Our distribution office aims to offer a practical and accessible response: a place where people can come, explain their immediate needs and receive food without unnecessary obstacles.
Every meal prepared and handed out represents a practical response to someone's immediate circumstances: someone without a kitchen, someone sleeping outside, someone moving between temporary accommodation, or someone who simply cannot afford their next meal. Our priority is to ensure that these people are not overlooked!
The continued growth of this service makes ongoing support more important than ever. Donations help us maintain our operations, purchase ingredients, prepare thousands of meals and ensure food remains accessible to those who need it. As the needs of Athens continue to evolve, we remain committed to being there for our community. Our aim is simple: to make sure that anyone who needs a good, hot meal can receive one, always served with love, dignity and respect.
By Evelina Eskenazi | Founder and Director
By Evelina Eskenazi | Founder and Director
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