This week, the parish branch of Caritas in El Cobre, Santiago de Cuba, introduced its new children's meal initiative, named Horizontes. The program aims to provide meals to 20 vulnerable children three times a week, as announced by the Catholic organization on Friday.
This effort expands upon existing meal services previously established by the parish for the elderly, thereby extending its support network to the most disadvantaged members of the community.
The Archdiocese of Santiago de Cuba reports that during each visit, children are served a full lunch, attended by Caritas volunteers who ensure a warm welcome and proper sanitation.
Photos released show children seated around tables with blue and white checkered tablecloths, enjoying dishes of rice, black beans, and meat, in a setting adorned with colorful balloons and attended by volunteers dressed in white.
The parish of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity in El Cobre is recognized as one of the most active religious centers in social assistance within the Archdiocese of Santiago de Cuba.
It manages 14 social projects with over 50 volunteers, serving more than 500 vulnerable individuals, including bedridden elders, people with disabilities, and families impacted by migration or imprisonment.
Following Hurricane Melissa in the fall of 2025, the parish distributed 1,300 rations daily. In January, it facilitated humanitarian aid from the United States for 521 affected families.
The launch of Horizontes occurs amidst an unprecedented food crisis in Cuba. Independent surveys reveal that nearly 97% of the population lacks adequate food access, with one in three families experiencing hunger and 29% of Cubans eating only two meals a day.
The situation is particularly dire among children, with over 100,000 lacking their daily milk and nearly half of school-aged children between six and eleven not receiving meals at school.
Infant mortality reached 9.9 per 1,000 live births by the end of 2025, marking the highest rate in over 20 years.
As the state assistance system collapses, Cuban churches have emerged as the primary food distribution network, although even their leaders admit the demand exceeds their capacity.
The Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, Dionisio García Ibáñez, candidly stated on July 6: "There are so many people asking for help. And the help is not enough."
In a similar vein, Apostle Mayim Jorge from the Viento Recio Ministry in Las Tunas, which prepares meals for 480 people weekly, summarized the mission of these initiatives: "We are not just giving food; we are giving life."
Understanding the Food Crisis in Cuba
What is the purpose of the Horizontes program?
Horizontes is designed to provide meals to 20 vulnerable children in Santiago de Cuba three times a week, supporting those in need during a severe food crisis.
How has the food crisis affected children in Cuba?
Many children in Cuba are suffering due to the food crisis, with over 100,000 lacking daily milk and nearly half not receiving school meals, contributing to increased infant mortality rates.
How are churches responding to the crisis?
Cuban churches have become a crucial network for food distribution amid the state's assistance system collapse, although they face challenges in meeting the overwhelming demand.