Community Kitchen Expands Food Aid Amid Rising Demand in Tulum

Tulum, Quintana Roo — A community kitchen operating at La Vid Verdadera Church in Tulum has increased the number of free meals it provides, responding to a surge in demand from families and individuals facing economic hardship due to unemployment.

The initiative has also begun delivering food to hospitals and government offices where people wait for services, according to Maritza Cacho, who runs the kitchen.

“We started by handing out 20 portions, but demand has been growing. On one recent day we served around 70 meals, and now we also take food to the Tulum General Hospital, the CESA, and the Bienestar offices to support people who are there,” Cacho said.

The project is funded entirely by voluntary donations from church members, local residents, and people abroad who learn about it through social media. The contributions cover the cost of ingredients and allow the kitchen to operate consistently.

Beyond providing meals, the kitchen aims to foster community solidarity and invites those who can help to donate or volunteer, with the goal of reaching more vulnerable people in Tulum.