Romanian commune feeds 120 poor children to keep them in school; cook volunteers

In the commune of Galicea Mare, Dolj, a social canteen is providing daily warm meals for 120 children from disadvantaged families, aiming to keep them in school. The initiative, established at the end of May 2026, serves approximately 120 out of the 400 students in the locality.

This canteen, built and equipped to meet all necessary standards, is a collaborative effort between the "Șoapta Florilor" Association and the Galicea Mare Mayor's Office, with financial backing from a prominent agricultural company. For many of the children, this meal is likely the most substantial of their day, as they come from large families with limited financial resources.

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Any parent is more at ease knowing that their child will receive a cooked and healthy meal at school, regardless of the situation at home. And the benefits of social canteens are seen over time, offering children more security, energy for learning, and greater chances of success in life, helping entire cohorts of students avoid dropping out.

Currently, the canteen operates with a volunteer cook, and the meals are provided only until the end of the school year. The organizers are seeking funds to continue the service through the summer vacation and potentially establish a third canteen in Constanța. Isabela Ștefan-Iorga, president of the "Șoapta Florilor" Association, estimates the annual food cost at 50,000 euros.

Ștefan-Iorga emphasized the profound impact of such projects, stating, "Any parent is more at ease knowing that their child will receive a cooked and healthy meal at school, regardless of the situation at home." She added that the benefits of social canteens are evident in the long term, providing children with greater security, energy for learning, and improved chances of success, thereby helping entire cohorts of students avoid dropping out. The association hopes that sponsors will recognize the project's utility and impact, supporting the expansion of this vital service.

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We want sponsors to realize the real utility and support us financially to open a third canteen, during the summer vacation, in Constanța.