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Community Transformation

Soup Kitchen
FALL 2024

FoC and ACAF are very proud of the San Miguel Community Soup Kitchen in Upper Cambio Puente which was founded in 2020
with an initial investment to build of $13,893. The San Miguel Soup Kitchen operates in a manner very different from what we
in the US think of when we hear "Soup Kitchen" as it is a cooperative where all those receiving support also help keep it running
Learning Center with labor and/or pay for a portion of the food. They have a Governing Board of 26 women.
Founded four years ago with the support of Saint Michael's Church in Prior Lake, Minnesota, the kitchen provides opportunity
for employment to the community and a place where people gather and build relationships. Here are some interesting statistics
on the social return on investment per year:

$12,144
Annual Household Savings per year $137,308

$9,720 Social
Reduction in Malnutrition and Mortality Return
$8,208 on
Household Savings on Illness
$3,155 Investment
Self-Sufficiency Levels (4 years)
$1,613 68 Beneficiaries receive 7,952 meals
New Skills Learned
Beyond these financial numbers it is important to note that the 26 women involved in governing the kitchen have learned so
much and been greatly empowered. They speak about their level of belonging and more social integration! Of the mothers
working in the kitchen, there are 30 children who are receiving better nutrition and attend the daycare attached to the kitchen.
In addition, FoC and ACAF are working with universities, the Peruvian government and businesses as strategic partners to fund
some of the food and provide even healthier options!

is humbling as we clearly transportation and planning visits for
see their constant planning groups. We need your help to make
and serving. Their day to this happen! On the back page of this
day work involves traveling newsletter are specific areas we need
to and from the areas we financial support.
serve, like Cambio Puente, The type of professionals we currently
which are several miles employ and the ones we need to attract
from the ACAF offices. To and retain will require a significant
employ professionals and increase in our budget. The salaries of
transport them to and the current ACAF staff are well below
from the remote work site Peruvian standards and miles behind
In the past year since Katie and I started takes resources. what we in the US would consider
our professional work with Friends When groups travel to Peru, we only just and fair. Projects and building
of Chimbote and ACAF, the Peruvians see a snapshot of what is happening. infrastructure are important, but none
serving Peruvians, we have learned Each and every project visitors take of the projects that groups participate
so much about how our organizations part in requires hours of careful in, or that our social workers and
work together to serve the very poor of planning and coordination by the ACAF psychologists lead, would be possible
Chimbote. team, managing communication with without skilled and passionate people
From the beginning it was very clear community members and beneficiaries. in Peru.
that the ACAF staff was leading the way The next couple of years FoC will be Thank you ACAF and thank you to our
with their service to the poor and desire actively working to raise the rate of Friends of Chimbote community for
to improve as professionals. Our weekly pay for the ACAF professionals and to making it possible for us to serve those
calls with the team on the ground in Peru ensure we have logistical resources for most in need!

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