On November 4th the Banco de Alimentos Foundation team met with the members of the 500 community organizations that work with us in this mission at the Libertador Eventos hall on Av. Constituyentes and General Paz. It was the second year running that we held this meeting in order to strengthen each other mutually. Not only did we share a delicious luncheon, but also–and more importantly–the life experience of running homes; day care centers; school dining rooms, etc. The motto for this meeting, “Nourishing Those Who Provide Nourishment”, accompanied our actions throughout the day in which, guided by Psychologist Miguel Espeche, the idea of how to transform our every day work into a “joyful effort” was highlighted, as a means for allowing us to go ahead with a demanding mission: that of feeding and providing contention for the most needy.

At the close of 2010, as a means of celebrating the Foundation’s tenth anniversary, we decided to hold the first meeting of this kind, aimed at honoring and thanking the social actors who run the feeding centers where the foodstuffs distributed by the Bank are delivered. The outcome was so enriching and so much valued by everyone involved, that we decided to repeat the event, once again with the backing and sponsorship of Molinos. At this second meeting, the representatives of the feeding centers once again emphasized the importance of being able to meet with peers; share their experiences and become “nurtured” spiritually.

After lunch, José María Simona, a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, and Adela Sáenz Cavia, Institutional Relations Manager at Molinos took the floor and addressed those present, after which Miguel Espeche–who was master of ceremonies–spoke and coordinated the activities to be shared by the groups. 

After a raffle, the day ended with a musical show by the group “Camaleón”.

Along these lines, in the month of August we began with the “Alimentando redes” (Feeding Networks) workshops, thanks to the Danone Foundation’s funding. A person with a facilitating role shall coordinate the meetings between organization members of one same district, the aim being to enhance the work done on the network by district, and provide a reference list of resources for each area.

Thus we shall be fulfilling a strong wish of Banco de Alimentos Foundation, which is to support those in charge of the social organizations, not only collaborating through the delivery of food for the feeding centers they run, but also offering them opportunities to get together, exchange experiences and enhance their work by creating networks, both of emotional contention as well as resources and services.