More Than 40,000 Vulnerable People Will Receive Adequate and Nutritious Food

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated more than US$326,000 to the Diakonia Food Bank attached to the Archdiocese of Guayaquil in Ecuador on March 7, 2024.

This donation represents a significant boost to continue the important work of the Diakonia Food Bank in the fight against hunger in Guayaquil.

The delivery was made in the presence of prominent personalities, including Archbishop of Guayaquil Monsignor Luis Cabrera, who also chairs the board of Diakonia, and Elder Enrique Mayorga, a regional leader of the Church of Jesus Christ.

The Diakonia Food Bank aims to reduce hunger among the vulnerable population of the city and has been a beacon of hope since its inception in February 2011. It is the first food bank in Ecuador, specifically in Guayaquil, and since 2011 has worked tirelessly to distribute nutritious food to those who need it most.

Federico Recalde, executive director of the food bank, highlighted the importance of this work and the positive impact it has had on the community. “This valuable support and contribution to the food bank would not have been possible without joint work and collaboration with the Archdiocese of Guayaquil. The scope of the assistance has been expanded, reaching communities in desperate need of nutritious and adequate food,” he said.

“Thanks to the service of the young members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — most of whom are currently serving or have served missions — and the service of other members, a close friendship has begun with Archbishop Luis Cabrera,” said Elder Mayorga. “Upon learning of the possibility of contributing as a Church to such projects, we acted and look towards the future. We are confident that this action will help bless many children and vulnerable individuals.”

“With the aim of finding healthy and nutritious food, we have gathered with various institutions, whether they are social or religious, because we know that food has no political or religious flag,” added Archbishop Cabrera. “This agreement is always oriented towards satisfying the hunger of others and helping people live with dignity and feed themselves in the best way.”

Through this donation, as well as others, the food bank has collected and distributed suitable and nutritious products through legally established institutions, benefiting a wide range of dining halls and social organizations in Guayaquil.

Isabel Pazmiño, vice president of the food bank, said this donation will benefit 300 children in dining halls, with the project Happy Bellies, Full Hearts, as well as more than 40,000 vulnerable people.