Tenerife Increases Food Charity Funding to €2.04M, Adds Youth Support

Tenerife's food distribution charities will receive 2,044,000 euros in funding next year. This is a 20% increase, or 344,000 euros more, than the 1.7 million euros allocated to NGOs at the start of the current term in 2023, according to Lope Afonso, Vice President of the Cabildo.

The rules for applying for this aid, which helps distribute essential goods, have been approved. The over two million euros are set aside to help cover rising living costs.

Charities can apply for this funding in two ways: either for the direct delivery of food and other products, or for the use of meal vouchers or free quotas. Afonso stated, "We continue to support and cover the tireless work of these charities that help the most vulnerable." He also highlighted the steady increase in funding over the past two years, which is now projected to exceed two million euros for 2026.

It's worth noting that food distribution charities and other basic product providers have been swamped with requests from new users this year. On average, the demand for food from these organizations has risen by 20%.

The Cabildo has stepped in to support these groups after they lost European funding, which previously came as perishable goods through the Spanish Agrarian Guarantee Fund (FEGA). However, sources suggest that the two million euros provided annually by the island's government is not enough.

The Cabildo de Tenerife's plan is to distribute this total amount for food distribution across the island. One million euros is split equally between the Food Bank and the Red Cross. The remaining million is then divided among other NGOs, based on factors like the number of people they help and their specific needs.

There are currently 75 registered charities on the island, though about half of them are officially linked with the public administration.

Bancoteide, the provincial Food Bank, manages the distribution of food to various charities across Tenerife. Figures show a stable trend, with around 20,000 people helped annually by 95 NGOs in the province. There's also a noticeable seasonal increase in demand in the southern part of the island.

Luis Febles, president of the NGO Sonrisas Canarias and a long-time advocate for social aid, estimates a 23% rise in users this year, many referred by local social workers. He expects to help over 15,000 people, or 4,700 families, by the end of the year. Last year, these numbers were 13,760 people and 4,262 families. Nearly 15% of those helped are migrants, and this number is growing.

Lope Afonso also announced additional aid for volunteer groups that help vulnerable children and teenagers, or those at risk of social exclusion. These groups can receive 200,000 euros per project, with up to eight projects funded in 2026, to support vulnerable young people. Projects must be completed by September 2027. Applications can be submitted for 20 days starting from the date of publication in the Official Gazette of the Province (BOP).