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The Episcopal Church "San Lucas" of Ciego de Ávila distributed 46 meals this week to elderly individuals and those in need, in two deliveries made on Tuesday and Thursday, as published on Facebook by its rector, Roberto Faya Amaro.
In the first delivery, on Tuesday, 28 servings were distributed. "28 little ones of God whom their Heavenly Father embraces with food, with His Mercy and His Love. Thank you and blessings to all the men and women, brothers with beautiful hearts, who support us in so many ways to develop this Ministry of Love of the Episcopal Church. Use our hands and hearts, Lord!!!"
During the second, Faya thanked the "big-hearted" donors and also mentioned Pastor Emigdio "for his collaboration and unconditional support."
This type of initiative is particularly significant in a province where the food crisis severely impacts the most vulnerable sectors.
In Ciego de Ávila, meat by ration book is only provided to children under six years old, leaving elderly adults and other individuals without access to basic proteins.
The situation of the elderly in Cuba is particularly critical.
According to recent data, 99% of Cuban retirees claim that their pension is insufficient to meet their basic needs, placing them in a situation of extreme vulnerability.
Precarity is also spreading among the younger population. In the same province, there have been documented cases of children rummaging through the trash in search of food, an image that reflects the deterioration of the social fabric on the island.
In light of this situation, the Cuban government admitted in March 2026 that it lacks resources to assist vulnerable individuals, leaving a gap that religious and humanitarian organizations are trying to fill with their own means.
In that context, churches have taken on an increasingly prominent role in social assistance.
Cáritas distributes humanitarian aid to up to 24,000 people across the country, while Protestant congregations also provide food and purified water to communities in need.
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