The president of the Chamber of Commerce, Carlos Bath, and the mayor of Mutxamel, Sebastian CanadiansThey signed an agreement to enable the use of a workshop building intended to house new facilities for the Chamber by the Council. This collaboration is part of the Solidarity Chamber and Alicante Gastronomy Solidarity initiative, with participation from the Assembly member responsible for promoting and developing Mutxamel. Also involved were Antonio Sol, coordinator of the Solidarity Chamber-AGS, the treasurer of Jewelry Love, Fidel Bernabeu, and the president Jesus Navarro Alberola. The partnership underscores a sustained effort to turn a shared space into a hub for social impact projects that benefit the community across the region. The arrangement signals a commitment to leverage civic leadership and charitable coordination to advance local initiatives that align with social and economic development goals in the province.
The kitchens of the Solidarity Chamber-Alicante Gastronomic Solidarity project, which are currently situated in Ciudad de la Luz, will relocate to these new facilities. This move will support ongoing social work carried out by this non profit organization, expanding the reach of solidarity menus for the most vulnerable groups and broadening educational actions aimed at social and labor inclusion for the homeless in the Alicante province, as well as for others at risk of social exclusion, with a particular focus on youth. The relocation represents a strategic step to sustain and scale outreach programs that combine nutrition, education, and opportunity for people who face barriers to stability and integration into the job market.
The workshop building located in Riodel Polygon will host activities through September 2036, with the potential for extension if all parties expressly agree and if the ongoing activity meets the terms of authorization. This temporal framework is designed to ensure careful planning and accountability while allowing the project to adapt to evolving community needs and funding circumstances. The agreement embodies a clear milestone that ties space, governance, and service delivery into a coherent plan for the medium term.
Since its founding in April 2020, Alicante Gastronómica Solidaria has prepared, packaged, and distributed more than 610,000 solidarity menus. The organization has also facilitated job placement training through PICE courses, helping roughly 700 young people at risk of social exclusion gain entry into the labor market. The achievements reflect a strong model of social enterprise that combines food aid with practical pathways to employment, education, and community empowerment across the region. This impact is attributed to the steady collaboration among the Chamber of Commerce, volunteers, and a broad network of corporate supporters who contribute resources and expertise to sustain the mission.
Alicante Gastronómica Solidaria notes that more than 610,000 meals have been prepared, packaged, and distributed since the initiative began in April 2020. The effort is supported by roughly 2,000 volunteers and about 700 corporate contributors who provide products and materials. Public administrations, including the Provincial Assembly, the Generalitat, and municipalities such as Alicante and Mutxamel, have offered essential backing that has enabled procurement, training, and program delivery. The whole operation demonstrates how civil society, government partners, and the private sector can align around a common welfare agenda and deliver tangible benefits to people facing hardship.
A new phase unfolds with the relocation of Alicante Gastronómica Solidaria to Muchamiel. The project will operate from a purpose-built warehouse whose construction was funded and technically supported by the Carmencita team. The leadership transition brings Jesus Navarro Alberola, the managing director, to oversee the continuation of the association’s trajectory, while Carlos Baño Marhuenda steps aside. The leadership team is joined by Gema Amor Pérez, who serves as vice president, to guide program strategy, community outreach, and stakeholder coordination. This shift signals a sustained commitment to expand the organization’s impact while maintaining the high standards of governance and accountability that have characterized its work.