Food

Food Bank – Foundation for the Fight Against Hunger

The Food Bank – Foundation for the Fight against Hunger has been operating since 1995 and its primary purpose and objective is to fight hunger and waste. It cooperates with food companies and institutionally with the Association of Greek Food Industries (SEVT), so that food that cannot be absorbed by the market is offered free of charge to soup kitchens and institutions. It is a member of the Federation of European Food Banks (FEBA) and works according to its principles. In Greece, Food Banks exist in Athens, Thessaloniki and Larissa, while in October 2019 the fourth Food Bank was established in Drama, by the Ladies Union of Drama – House of Open Hospitality. The Food Bank of the Ladies Union of Drama – House of Open Hospitality aims to collect products with a short expiry date and products sponsored by businesses and distribute them to the beneficiary people of the organization and to institutions throughout the prefecture.

The Hellenic Initiative supports the Food Bank of the Ladies Union of Drama – House of Open Hospitality by covering the eight-hour employment of one staff member for one year.

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Care for the Elderly Program

The Ladies Union of Drama – House of Open Hospitality since April 2018 started a new cooperation with the TIMA Charitable Foundation in order to continue the implementation of the ” Care for the Elderly” Program. The program involved the monthly distribution of vouchers for the purchase of food and essentials to elderly people over sixty years of age. At the same time, the objectives of the program were to inform the beneficiary people on issues of healthy nutrition, safety and health by providing free medical examinations, as well as to develop their skills, provide them with psychological support, socialize them and improve their quality of life by purchasing basic household equipment. The program benefited 75 elderly families.

The project was completed in March 2019 and its cost was entirely covered by TIMA Charitable Foundation.

From the end of the program until March 2020, the Ladies Union of Drama – House of Open Hospitality ensured the sustainability of the program and once a month the beneficiary people received a parcel with long-life food, fresh products and personal hygiene items while the parallel activities continued.

Care for the elderly III

The “Care for the elderly III” program started on 1 April 2021 and its duration is one year. It is fully funded by the TIMA Charitable Foundation and implemented by the Ladies Union of Drama – H.O.H.

The project initially aims to support 75 elderly families who are reeling from the economic and humanitarian crisis of the time. Also, having already implemented for six years the “Care for the elderly” Program, either in the framework of funding or sustainability, it aims to solve the biggest problem, observed in the elderly, loneliness. The families that have joined the program have been drawn from the database available to our organization, which currently has more than 1700 family members, categorized according to their needs.

More specifically, the program involves the monthly provision of vouchers for the purchase of food and basic necessities for elderly people over sixty years of age and the organization of talks as part of the distribution on topics relating to the elderly. In addition, it includes the organization of a Creative School, where beneficiary people will be able to attend weekly classes and activities aimed at strengthening their communication, active participation and involvement in interpersonal relationships and cognitive encouragement through art.

Finally, neuropsychological assessments were conducted by a specialized psychologist as part of the project. The neuropsychological assessment in combination with the assessment for depression and anxiety will help early diagnosis of early or more established symptoms of dementia or depression and will lead, where necessary, to immediate referral to a medical specialist.

Program of Greek Shipowners SYN-ENOSIS

127 families with 518 members in total benefit from the food aid program implemented by the Greek Shipowner’s Social Offer Company SYN-ENOSIS in cooperation with the Ladies Union of Drama – House of Open Hospitality.

SYN-ENOSIS was founded by members of the Union of Greek Shipowners and is the social contribution organization of the shipping community. It aims to implement public benefit programs, actions to support vulnerable social groups, humanitarian projects and donations of broader interest to support Greek society.

The SYN-ENOSIS support program for families living in conditions of material deprivation is implemented on the basis of predefined income and social criteria and involves the provision of packages of basic standard food and personal hygiene items, available on a monthly basis.

The whole action is exclusively supported by the Board of Directors and the volunteer team of the Union of Ladies of Drama – House of Open Hospitality.

TEVA Partnership

The Ladies Union of Drama – House of Open Hospitality as a partner of the Social Partnership Solidarity in the Regional Unit of Drama implements the Operational Program of Food and Basic Material Assistance, which is funded by the European Aid Fund for the Needy (EFA).

The Program regularly distributes to its beneficiary people long-life food, detergents, baby food and diapers, fruit and vegetables, chicken and meat.

Food distributions

Distribution of Special Packages

Once a month the beneficiary people of the Ladies Union of Drama – House of Open Hospitality, who are in need of immediate assistance and are not included in any other food program, receive a parcel with long-life food, fruit and vegetables and personal hygiene items.

Daily Distribution of Goods

Every day at the Ladies Union of Drama – House of Open Hospitality, goods , such as bread and bakery products, products with a short expiry date, fruit, vegetables and dairy products are distributed. All products are sponsored by Drama businesses and partner organizations around Greece.

Soup kitchen

In cooperation with the cooking department of the public vocational training institution of Drama(IEK), the Ladies Union of Drama – House of Open Hospitality implemented the rationing activity for the year 2016. Twice a week, food was distributed to lonely people, victims of the economic and humanitarian crisis. This action continues to this day at regular intervals and is supported by Dramian business sponsors and by citizens who support the work of the organization.