The equivalent of more than 90,000 meals distributed in Cuba through Soutien Direct International’s food basket program
Since launching its food basket program, Soutien Direct International has distributed food equivalent to more than 90,000 meals to families in extreme need in Cuba. The distributions reached beneficiaries in the province of Havana, as well as in Matanzas, Cárdenas, Santa Marta, and Unión de Reyes.
This achievement is the result of the efforts of a team of more than twenty volunteers, the collaboration of the Catholic Church, and the support of the organization’s donors and partners.
The food basket program is intended for families in extremely precarious situations who lack the necessary means to feed themselves adequately. The baskets contain non-perishable food items, a particularly important choice in the context of an energy crisis where power outages make it difficult to keep food in the refrigerator. These products can be stored without refrigeration before opening and allow families to prepare meals at home.
Meeting Basic Food Needs
The number of meals reported corresponds to the nutritional equivalent of the food items distributed since the program’s launch. The food baskets therefore contain ingredients intended to be cooked by the families.
Through this initiative, Soutien Direct International provides a concrete solution to the food needs of the selected families. The procurement, preparation, and delivery of the food baskets are organized so that the items reach the recipients directly.
Beneficiaries selected by the Catholic Church
The Catholic Church is responsible for selecting the beneficiary families. Its presence in the communities and its knowledge of local conditions enable it to identify families in extremely precarious situations who need food assistance.
This partnership plays a central role in the program. The Catholic Church selects the recipients, while Soutien Direct International organizes the preparation of the food baskets and oversees their distribution through its local team.
This complementary approach makes it possible to link the identification of needs to direct intervention in the field, while respecting the individuals receiving support.
More than twenty volunteers have stepped up to help
Each food distribution involves several steps: purchasing food, organizing it, preparing the baskets, planning transportation, and delivering them to families. This work relies on the dedication of a team of more than twenty volunteers.
Their participation helps turn the donations received into tangible food aid. Their time, effort, and on-the-ground knowledge help make distributions possible in the various communities reached by the program.
The food baskets are delivered directly by the Soutien Direct International team. Each visit provides an opportunity to meet with the families—beyond simply handing out the food—with a focus on providing a warm welcome and respecting their dignity.
A documentation program to track interventions
Every meeting with families is documented as part of Soutien Direct International’s documentation program. This process helps maintain a record of the interventions carried out and ensures continuity of follow-up.
Documentation is an integral part of the food basket program. It helps document the work that has been done, organize the information gathered during meetings, and support team coordination.
Food aid is thus part of an organized process that includes selecting beneficiaries, delivering food baskets directly, and documenting the interactions.
A collective effort that continues
The distribution of food supplies equivalent to more than 90,000 meals marks an important milestone for Soutien Direct International. This achievement is the result of the work of volunteers, the collaboration of the Catholic Church, and the commitment of donors and partners.
The need remains significant. The organization is continuing its food basket program, within the limits of available resources, to keep meeting the basic needs of families in extremely vulnerable situations.
Soutien Direct International would like to thank everyone who makes these efforts possible. Their support makes it possible to purchase food, prepare food baskets, and deliver them directly to families in Cuba.