The group Junts per l'Espluga has expressed its concern via social media, accusing the municipal government of a "lack of commitment" to the essential work carried out by Cáritas. They recall that the entity was forced to vacate its old parish hall last September due to severe structural problems from aluminosis and the risk of collapse.
According to Junts, the provisional solution offered by the City Council, a premises on carrer de la Font, is "clearly insufficient" for basic services such as food distribution or the Filigrana clothing bank. They also regret that the council has backed down on its initial intention to cover the rent for a private premises for the entity, a practice they claim is applied in other cases in the municipality.
Ensuring adequate spaces for social entities should be a priority for any local government.
For its part, Som Espluga has defended its management in a statement, asserting that support for Cáritas has been significantly strengthened. According to municipal data, the annual contribution has increased by 152%, from 3,076.50 euros (2013-2019) to 7,769.27 euros (2020-2026).
The local government has also highlighted a "change of model" in its relationship with the entity, replacing the ticket system with a direct agreement with Cáritas since 2022. This measure allows for more autonomous and flexible resource management, better adapting to the needs of families, including not only food but also other basic expenses.
Regarding the premises, the municipal executive states that a "free provisional space was immediately offered" and that work continues with Cáritas and the parish to find a more stable location. Additionally, "external funding avenues" are being explored to make this definitive solution possible.
