In the midst of scarcity, a hotel in Cárdenas distributes soup to those in need

The Hotel La Dominica, located in the founding square of Cárdenas, Matanzas, distributes the traditional caldosa cardenense to individuals in need from the community every Sunday, according to a post shared on its Facebook page this April.

The images show workers from the establishment serving the dish from a large stainless steel pot in a public space in front of the hotel, while elderly adults wait in line with plates, containers, and bags.

"In the Hotel La Dominica, Sundays have a special flavor: we share the traditional caldosa from Cárdenas with those who need it most, because we believe that solidarity and mutual support strengthen our community," states the hotel’s post on social media.

This decision stands in stark contrast to the reality of the vast majority of hotels in Cuba, which, rather than developing initiatives to benefit the most vulnerable, choose to discard resources instead of directing them to those who need them most.

This initiative arises in the context of a deep food crisis in Cuba, where 96.91% of the population has lost access to adequate food according to recent data.

Cuba imports 80% of the food it consumes, which exacerbates the situation given the shortage of foreign currency.

In the province of Matanzas, the situation is not different from the rest of the country. Cookies at 850 pesos have begun to replace bread in many households, highlighting the deterioration of the basic food basket for Cubans.

This is not the first time gestures of solidarity have been observed in Cárdenas. In December 2024, a group of volunteers led by Idalmys distributed food to needy families in the city.

Similar initiatives have emerged in other parts of the country, such as in Mulgoba, where residents opened their doors under the slogan "If you don't have dinner, come on over".

Other organizations have also turned to caldosa as a form of community support. In Manicaragua, a store distributed caldosa for pregnant women and vulnerable individuals, demonstrating that this traditional Cuban dish has become a symbol of mutual aid in challenging times.

The Hotel La Dominica is one of the most iconic establishments in Cárdenas. It was restored with funds from 1% of local development and has received awards at the National Conservation and Restoration Awards 2024, acknowledgments that highlight the heritage value of the property and the work done in its recovery.