WILLEMSTAD – The Food Bank in Curaçao has reduced the number of families it supports from 350 to 200 this year, citing rising costs and a sharp decline in donations.
According to chairwoman Cheryll Losiabaar, demand for assistance remains high, but the organization can no longer sustain support for the same number of households. The cost of assembling food packages has increased significantly, now ranging between 140 and 150 guilders, while the retail value of the contents is estimated at around 175 guilders.
At the same time, donations dropped considerably in 2025, forcing the Food Bank to make difficult decisions to maintain its financial stability. By reducing the number of beneficiaries, the organization aims to ensure consistent and reliable support for the families it continues to assist.
Losiabaar indicated that the rising costs are linked to international developments, including global conflicts and increasing prices on the world market. Fresh products in particular have become more expensive and harder to store, leading the organization to rely more on non-perishable food items.
Despite the reduction, the Food Bank emphasizes that the need for support remains urgent and continues to appeal to the community and donors for assistance.