CONEVAL (National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development) recently declared that “more people in Jalisco are short of enough money to buy food,” adding that “the number of poor, those who are deprived of their basic food and health needs” continues to rise.

Little Victor’s family struggles to put food on the table	Mareli’s single mother and siblings live in extreme poverty

As part of its “Food and Good Health for a Better Future” initiative, Proyecto Refugio, A.C. (PRAC) has successfully operated a free kitchen for over a decade, at its community dining hall, “Comedor El Refugio,” in the municipality of El Salto, Jalisco.

The building with a dining hall, kitchen and storerooms	Dining hall for children, senior citizens and single mothers

The facility provides daily nutritious hot meals for roughly 200 underprivileged children, senior citizens and single mothers in the local neighborhood. Though it primarily caters to these demographics, it is also open for anyone in a difficult situation who needs a hot meal.

The center provides hot meals Mondays to Fridays	“Comedor El Refugio” caters to young and old

For many of the children in this neighborhood, it is the only decent meal they get in a day.

Clothing being provided to the children	Happy children and mothers after a nutritious lunch