The Association of Volunteers in Emergencies and Rescue of Lanzarote, Emerlan, has received the support of the “la Caixa” Foundation and CaixaBank for the launch of a soup kitchen from which to continue helping vulnerable people to cover their basic food needs. CaixaBank will contribute 22,000 euros to the project through the decentralized budget of the “la Caixa” Foundation.
According to a statement sent by the financial institution, the idea of creating a new soup kitchen in Arrecife arose from Emerlan's motivation to create a support service for groups with difficulties in the face of the increase in the number of people to whom they have been providing assistance and food since the beginning of the pandemic.
During confinement, according to reports, Emerlan delivered 130 daily picnics only in the capital of Lanzarote, which made them consider that they should increase their assistance in the area and set up a soup kitchen in which to serve all those people or the largest number possible.
In the facilities of this new soup kitchen, hot food will be prepared during midday, seven days a week, and picnics will also be prepared to distribute among those users who, due to their situation, cannot travel to the place.
The president of Emerlan, Isidoro Blanco, and the territorial director in the Canary Islands of CaixaBank, Juan Ramón Fuertes, have expressed their satisfaction with the signing of the agreement, which "will not only allow addressing the social emergency on the island through the project, but also contribute to improving the quality of life and social integration of the beneficiaries through the selfless work of the volunteers and social workers of the association."