The initiative, which provides healthy lunches for nine euros three times a week, targets people over sixty, especially those in vulnerable or dependent situations. Jordi Marginet, an eighty-year-old resident, highlights the value of the program: "Eating alone is very sad, and here I have company. It's not just the lunch, but being able to talk and make friends."
“"It seems like it should never happen to you, but a moment comes when it does. Those who have company don't understand it. Until you face it, you don't know what it is to be completely alone."
The municipal social worker, Montse Pont, explains that the goal goes beyond the meal, aiming to "set the table, converse, form a group, and build a network." Due to the positive reception since its launch in mid-October, there are plans to expand the service to all working days (Monday to Friday) starting early next year.
In addition to the meal, activities are organized and led by center technicians, such as Esther Corrales, who notes the varied profiles of attendees and the spontaneous creation of "care roles." A free transport service is also provided to help those living in more remote areas, like the industrial colonies, reach the community center.
“"The truth is that every week I look forward to Thursday because I have lunch accompanied. It is a fantastic initiative."
Gironella, like the rest of the Berguedà region, has an aging population. Many of these individuals, mostly women, face unwanted loneliness, underscoring the necessity of this municipal space for social connection and support.
