WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao Food Bank is scaling back its operations significantly and will distribute only 100 food packages this month due to a severe drop in donations. If no additional funding is secured, the organization warns it may be forced to stop food distribution entirely by December.
The Food Bank, operated by Fundashon Yudansa pa Kòrsou (Foundation for Assistance to Curaçao), receives no government subsidies and relies solely on donations and volunteer efforts. Despite the financial strain, the organization has not closed its doors and continues its mission to support the most vulnerable in the community.
“We don’t want to stop helping,” said the foundation’s chairperson in an interview. “But we’re reaching the limits of what’s financially possible. Donations have dropped dramatically, and the cost of food has soared. Everything we do is volunteer-based, and we purchase all food items ourselves.”
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, a food package cost about 50 guilders. Today, that same package costs approximately 115 guilders. “On Saturday, we distributed packages and had to inform some organizations and individuals that, unfortunately, we may no longer be able to serve everyone due to the cuts,” the chairperson added.
At the height of the pandemic in 2021, the Food Bank distributed around 6,000 packages monthly. That number has already dropped to 350, and now the organization is scaling back even further. “We’re returning to pre-pandemic levels,” said the chairperson. “We currently spend about 30,000 guilders a month—roughly 360,000 guilders per year—on food and warehouse rent.”
Past efforts to secure government funding were unsuccessful. “The conditions imposed were disproportionate for a completely volunteer-run organization. Ironically, the lack of subsidies encouraged more private and individual donations in the past.”
Requests for assistance continue to pour in every week. “It’s heartbreaking. So many people are reaching out for help, just asking for food. I want to keep helping—but we need the public’s support. If every eligible voter—around 111,000 people—donated just ten guilders a month, we’d have more than enough to continue and even expand our assistance.”
In response to the crisis, a group of concerned citizens, including former ministers Quincy Girigorie (PAR), Jacinta Constancia (MFK), and current MP Andy Losiabaar (MFK), have taken action. They’ve launched a social media campaign urging the public to donate and help sustain the Food Bank’s work.
Donations can be made to MCB account number 39682904 under the name Stichting Hulp aan Curaçao. The foundation emphasizes that continued public support is vital to maintaining food aid for those who need it most.
