Cuba’s Charity Kitchens Feed Growing Numbers Amid Crisis

Cuba’s worsening economic crisis has left many people unable to afford basic food, with inflation, fuel shortages and declining tourism compounded by depleted government resources and longstanding economic weaknesses. As state-subsidized supplies falter, charity kitchens and food pantries—often supported by religious groups, international aid organizations and the United Nations—have become a crucial source of meals for older adults, low-income families and others. In Havana, people reportedly queue overnight for food that may be their only reliable meal of the day, while some parents depend on the kitchens to feed their children.