Weekly meals for families and seniors in Rio de Janeiro

Since 2021, our volunteer team has run the Second Helping every Monday from the back of a community center. We started with 9 families, and now we feed 112 each week. Donations have dropped by about 50% this winter, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 6 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the Rio de Janeiro market and keep every receipt. Each $15 feeds a family of four for a week. All of the funds go to groceries, fresh produce, and cold-storage costs. Where the $1,000 goes: • Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $540 • Fresh vegetables and fruit: $240 • Baby formula and diapers: $150 • Refrigeration and electricity: $70 Thank you for reading my story.