Feeding the Need

The food bank has been operating from the The Dream Centre in Hondon de los Frailes since September 2021

Justice drives us to insist that it is not right that anybody should experience hunger in any world yet alone in developed countries with all their wealth distributed unequally.

Our mission is to FEED THE NEED of all those who require food and this will remain our mission statement.

Our VISION is, not only to feed those in need, but to facilitate changing minds; raising an awareness of the need, not only for emergency food supplies, but also to recognize the need for long term support. We need to encourage a greater understanding and empathy for the underlying reasons food banks exist. Our civilized society does not allow for all people to receive adequate income to feed themselves or their families; unemployment, ill health and social problems all contribute to poverty and more recently the Covid Pandemic has forced more individuals and families into poverty.

We are passionate about helping others to discover an extraordinary life with compassion, always showing respect kindness and care without judgement, allowing users to maintain dignity. Everyone will be welcome to use the foodbank regardless of creed, nationality, gender, race, sexuality, or social circumstances.

Volunteers will always maintain confidentiality and will always be accountable for their actions within the foodbank, no volunteer will take action that may impact the group without consulting with the team first. Listening is an important skill for volunteers both to clients and co-workers along with trust and respect for each other.

The Dream Centre is ideally placed geographically to house the Foodbank which will initially occur monthly but will increase as the need requires. An emergency service will be available during daylight hours ensuring that no one is left hungry.

Feed the Need will initially cater for residents of Hondon de los Frailes and surrounding areas but no one in need will be turned away and through liaison with other agencies, Town Halls & social services, other voluntary and Christian organisations, it is envisaged that the population served will widen.

Clearly none of this can be done without funding, until now the Foodbank in Frailes has been provided from individual donations of money. This has been very successful but now there is a need to seek more regular donations of money and especially food from the wider community. Local businesses will be approached for funding, supermarkets often throw out perfectly usable food as it nears its sell by date (NOT its use by date) and may be willing for us to collect this for distribution to those in need.

Women of Destiny and Men of Purpose groups will be asked for financial donations to the Food Bank twice a year. Publicity. Food baskets for collection of food will be set up in designated areas Flyers will be designed in English & Spanish, along with a list of suggested food donations to encourage supporters to give. This will be distributed to local cafes and businesses. We will also set up a what’s app group.

Accountability and Transparency will be paramount to the Feed the Need team, sponsors and the local community and the Trustees of Acorn International Ministries Spain. A registered bank is already set up and accounts will be available at The Dream Centre for anyone who wishes to see them. An ongoing record of expenditure and income will be kept to furnish the end of year accounts. The Feed the Need team will meet on a monthly basis to feedback any issues that may have arisen and monitor performance.

There needs to be a tool for Assessments of Need although hardship can occur to anyone at any time and therefore their living circumstances may not be a true reflection of hardship, it is unacceptable to be expected to sell household goods bought before hardship, to feed the family. In the future there will be help with budget planning and nutrition to all who need it.

Whilst it is not envisaged that any team member will be alone with any child, an awareness of safeguarding children is essential and team members should be aware of signs of a child in need or in danger. Any concerns should be raised with the team, likewise signs of domestic abuse.

As previously stated there will be a monthly review with the team and annual public meetings will be held. The review date of this statement will be yearly and should be agreed with the Trustees.

The above is agreed by Steve & Ann Laidlow , Founders of Acorn International Ministries Register Spanish Charity number 19265

The Dream Centre acornintmin@cfaith.com

Tel +44 7469949851 or +34654651733 www.thedreamcentre.es

20 Calle Padre Claret Reg UK Charity # 1093557 03689 , Hondon de los Frailes Reg Spanish charity #19265 Alicante , Spain

The Dance of the Stilts Rioja

The Dance of the Stilts is a folk festival, held every year in Spain, in the town of Anguiano, La Rioja. It is a very special event, where eight young people in wide skirts and mounted on stilts 50 centimeters high, go through the streets of the town avoiding all kindsof obstacles.

This original and extravagant custom, originates from a region of Burgos, Spain where there is a small river called "Najerilla", which in order to cross it, it was necessary to use stilts to avoid humid places or protect yourself when the great snowfalls arrived.

It is still unknown because the Stilt Dance was incorporated into the traditional celebration of the Virgen of Magdalene.

Although it is believed, that this tradition is older. There is evidence to confirm that Stilts Dance, already existed in the 1600s or perhaps in pre-Christian time.

Cordoba Guitar Festival

During the first fortnight of July, Cordoba becomes "guitar city". This festival in honour of the guitar has gained international fame thanks to the quality of the performers that take part, and it has become a point of reference for all guitar lovers and enthusiasts.

Two different, yet complementary areas are represented during the event. On one side there is an educational part, with courses on guitar-making, as well as classical, flamenco and medieval guitar, and finally, composition. On the other side are the concerts and shows. Different stages host the broad, varied programme, where jazz, blues, folk, Celtic music and post-modern rhythms all play a part. All this is rounded off by conferences, round tables, exhibitions and record presentations.

Moors and Christians in the Region of Valencia

A spectacle of colour and tradition, Moros y Cristianos is a festival with a long history that is celebrated in the provinces of Valencia and Alicante. Come and enjoy a theatrical performance that commemorates the battles of the Reconquista.

Opulent costumes, detailed decorations, impressive parades, theatrical recreations, timpani marches, the roar of battles and fighting come together to create a spectacle that will transport you back to another age. We’re talking, of course, about the Moros y Cristianos festivals (literally meaning Moors and Christians) that are held in a number of destinations across the Region of Valencia.

La Tomatina Valencia

This beautiful story began on the last Wednesday of August in 1945, when some young people hung out in the Plaza del Pueblo to watch the parade of giants and big heads. The boys decided to make a hole in the parade, although their impetus caused a participant to fall. This one, prisoner of anger, began to hit everything he found in his path.

By a whim of fate, there was a vegetable stall that was used by the angry crowd to release adrenaline: those present began to throw tomatoes at each other until the public order forces put an end to such a particular battle.

Fiesta do Pulpo Galicia

The origin of the party has a lot to do with this rich and ancient “pulpeira” tradition of the Carballinesa region, called “Orcellón”, and with the initiative of a group of neighbors who decide to pay tribute to this exquisite delicacy by creating institutionalizing a pilgrimage in which the true protagonist was the octopus. For this they had the appeal of this gastronomic dish, with all the “pulpeiras” of Arcos and what is not less important, with the appropriate natural framework, the Municipal Park of O Carballiño, created in 1927 and that, with an extension of thirty-two hectares of woodland of the most diverse species –oaks, camellias, lime trees, birches, cedars, eucalyptus, pines, etc …, with four natural sources, an ethnographic area that offers a whole, a School of Fishing, a Mill that is an ethnographic museum, a campsite, and the most important river in the region, the Arenteiro, which offers unlimited possibilities for the development of the party.

Running of the Bulls in Cuéllar

In Cuéllar, bulls have been run for over 800 years. Thus, its Bull Runs are documented as the oldest in Spain.

In 1215, don Geraldo, the bishop of Segovia, held the episcopal synod, prohibiting the clergy from participating in games with bulls.

Since then and up until today, Cuéllar’s historical archives have housed a rich, varied documentation on the festival, created over the centuries.