Social

Poverty blights Moldova's elderly: Canteen offers life saving meals

For many elderly residents of Moldova, winter chills aren't the only harsh reality. Battling poverty and isolation, their meagre pensions fall short of basic needs, particularly food.

symbolic image
Sursa: symbolic image

Stepping in to bridge this gap is the Diaconia Mission's "Mobile Social Canteen," offering a lifeline of warm meals for over 150 seniors daily.

Maria Astaschina, 75, knows this struggle firsthand. She raises her 12-year-old grandson after his father's tragedy, relying on the canteen for their sustenance. "Raising him since he was one," she confides, "our pension barely covers bills, leaving little for food. The canteen's warm lunches are a blessing."

Efrosinia Samoni, 70, echoes similar sentiments. "My pension doesn't even manage utilities," she says. "Without the canteen, hunger becomes a grim reality. I stretch what I have, but their meals are crucial."

Seniority often translates to long waits for the coveted meals. "An hour's wait might seem long," explains one man, "but our small pensions leave us with no other choice. We're eternally grateful for this support."

Another beneficiary adds, "Our pensions are simply inadequate. The canteen's diverse menu, from peas with sauce to cornmeal platters, fills our stomachs and warms our hearts."

Operating Monday to Friday in Râșcani and Botanica districts, the canteen has been a community mainstay since 2013. "Helping our elderly brings tremendous joy," says volunteer Gabriela Ștefîrță. "Knowing we provide a daily warm meal and a moment of connection for those in need is truly rewarding."

Translation by Iurie Tataru

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