Food services for the homeless in Spain: Caritas Programme forthe Homeless
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 April 2001
Homelessness includes a wide range of people, from those living onthe street (strictly homeless) to people living temporarily withrelatives or friends because they have lost their home. Programesfor the homeless should design strategies aimed at encouraginginsertion processes, thus considering the different dimensionsinvolved. Within this framework Caritas delivers an array ofassistance services for the homeless facing the stages of insertion.In Spain there are 315 centres offering meals for 20 000 people,most of them along with other services such as reception,residential premises or day-care centres. Caritas is responsible for42% of them. Overall, it is easier to get a lunch than any othermeal during the day, followed by dinner, while it is difficult toget a breakfast.
Social dining rooms are valuable places for a first contact (firststage of the insertion process) and even to start the second stage(personal recovery).