338
daily users receiving hot meals
The Association Manos de Ayuda Social was founded in 2011 as an initiative started by a group of volunteers in Madrid, Spain. They came together in the midst of the economic crisis that struck Spain at the time with the idea of starting a family meal center in the capital's Ciudad Lineal district. .
They were determined and excited to make a difference in the community and soon thereafter Comedor Social Ventas opened its doors. Up until closing in 2018, the family meal center in Ciudad Lineal served ca. 157,000 meals and provided support to more than 1,409 people.
After seven busy years of work, Manos de Ayuda Social relocated to the Puente de Vallecas district in the South of Madrid. The new premises offered support to many families from the Palomeras Bajas neighborhood at risk of social exclusion.
Our goal is to provide proper nutrition and foster a warm environment so that the Family Meal Center users feel safe and secure. We also encourage them to actively search for employment so that they are able to get back on their feet as soon as possible.
Manos de Ayuda Social has been declared a Public Utility organization by the Spanish Ministry for Home Affairs, acknowledging our work for those in need.
In 2024 we reached...
338
daily users receiving hot meals
21134
meals made in the Family Meal Center
34902
kg of food distributed
6760
hygiene and cleaning products distributed
Download the Family Meal Center annual report
We offer weekly supply made up of ready-to-eat menus, dry and fresh food to complement dinners, breakfasts, snacks, etc. In addition to this, we provide with toiletries, and cleaning items.
Each one of our users receives an individual assessment, diagnosis and intervention plan. Our main focus then becomes the search for resources and employment for the user.
We achieve this through different methods: interviews, training sessions and workshops oriented towards personal development and financial independence. Some of the topics covered by our workshops are Job Searching, Developing Socio-personal Skills, etc.
You can collaborate in many areas. Please support our work and help us make it possible!

To be able to manipulate food products our staff is required to obtain a Food Handlers Certificate. This can easily be done through a short online test. You can benefit from a 50% discount off the price of the test through National formative center 'Pymes Plataforma Comercial'.
Discount code:: AS825001ES
Many companies, official entities and individuals have partnered with us along the way. We are sincerely grateful for your help. None of this would be possible without you.
We would like to especially thank Fundación Isolana, Fundación Vía Célere y a la Fundación Pelayo. for their constant support. To you and to those who help and support us and have done so from the start… THANK YOU!
If you need help or would like to collaborate with this project, don’t hesitate to contact us! We will be happy to help you.