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Solidarity delivers 1,300 meals to Sierra Oeste evacuees
More than 1,300 solidarity meals have reached people evacuated because of the Sierra Oeste de Madrid fires this week. Cooks, companies and volunteers have joined forces to prepare fresh, balanced menus while many families slowly begin to return to their homes.
The initiative is coordinated by chef Juan Pozuelo, Mercamadrid and the Association of Cooks and Pastry Chefs of Madrid. Since Monday, teams have been working daily to cook, pack and distribute food among residents who had to leave their homes because of the advance of the fire.
The menus include dishes such as pasta salad with fish, chickpeas with vegetables, rice with vegetables and ham, lentils with curry chicken or Russian salad. Halal options have also been prepared to adapt to the needs of the people being helped.
Mercamadrid has provided nearly 200 kilos of vegetables and around 500 pieces of fruit. Companies such as DAPSA, Packea, Frutas E. Sánchez, Frutas Julián, Eurobanan and Alcampo have joined the chain of solidarity, donating food, containers and other materials.
Once prepared, the menus are taken to the judo pavilion in Villaviciosa de Odón. From there, they are distributed among those affected in municipalities such as Chapinería, Navas del Rey and Pelayos de la Presa.
The aid was initially planned until Sunday, although it could end earlier if residents continue returning to their homes. The improvement in the situation is making it possible gradually to reduce pressure on the reception points set up during the emergency.
Those helping include cooking professionals, workers and whole families. Some children have also joined in simple tasks, such as closing containers, preparing bread or helping organise packages before they are distributed.
The solidarity response now accompanies the recovery of a district hit by the fires. While emergency services continue working in the area, the menus help ease part of the daily routine for those who have spent several days away from home.