
Santa Cruz de Tenerife Partners with DinoSol Foundation to Expand Social Grocery Aid
Santa Cruz de Tenerife has partnered with the DinoSol Foundation to enhance its social assistance program by using a reinvestment model that provides prepaid grocery cards to vulnerable families while promoting personal autonomy.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife has strengthened its approach to social emergencies through a new partnership between the City Council and the DinoSol Foundation. This alliance bolsters the Social Assistance Economic Benefits (PEAS) program, which has provided prepaid grocery cards to families in need for the past two years.
The agreement features a unique funding model: the DinoSol Foundation, which is linked to the Hiperdino supermarket chain, will reinvest 3% of the annual revenue generated by these cards into issuing new vouchers. This allows the City Council to support more vulnerable families without increasing the municipal budget, making better use of public funds through corporate social responsibility.
This prepaid card system marks a shift away from traditional food distribution. By allowing beneficiaries to choose their own groceries, the program promotes personal autonomy and preserves the dignity of users, helping to reduce the stigma often associated with receiving aid. Charín González, the Councilor for Social Policies, noted that this system provides a faster response to families facing sudden financial hardship.
Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez praised the efficiency of this public-private partnership, while DinoSol Foundation president Davinia Domínguez highlighted the company’s long-standing commitment to supporting the local community. Through this initiative, Santa Cruz de Tenerife is building a more flexible and efficient welfare system that can adapt to the community's needs without relying solely on public spending.