Dominga donates more than 2,000 boxes of food to vulnerable families in La Higuera, Coquimbo and La Serena

• Fulfilling its commitment to prioritize local businesses, Dominga acquires all of its essential food items from small neighborhood stores.

• The aid will reach 60% of the families in the La Higuera commune and the most needy sectors of La Serena and Coquimbo.

Nearly 30 small stores in La Higuera, Coquimbo, and La Serena will become suppliers for the Dominga mining project, which will distribute 2,000 food boxes in the Coquimbo region this month.

In this way, the economic resources will not remain in the coffers of large businesses in the Metropolitan Region. On the contrary, Dominga will promote a strategic alliance with as many local suppliers as possible in various sectors such as commerce, tourism, construction, domestic services, transportation, education services, and many others.

The outreach to neighborhood stores, the acquisition of food baskets, the selection of vulnerable beneficiaries, and the distribution have been a collaborative effort with the La Higuera Community Association, the No More Unemployment Movement of Coquimbo, Rural Drinking Water Committees, Neighborhood Councils, and numerous social organizations.

Our region has been severely impacted by this health crisis, and there are many families who need all the support we can provide.

“Dominga is a beacon of hope for many families and the only project that can be built in the short term, allowing us to recover from the severe economic effects of the coronavirus. We must all commit to progress to overcome the pandemic of unemployment and poverty. Our support for neighborhood stores and the distribution of food to vulnerable families is part of Dominga’s commitment to the men and women of our land,” emphasized Francisco Villalón, Corporate Affairs Manager of Andes Iron.

The food supplies will be distributed to beneficiaries in the inland areas of Punta Colorada, La Higuera, and El Trapiche, as well as in the coastal areas of Punta de Choros, Caleta Los Hornos, Los Choros, and Chungungo. Dominga will also support the most vulnerable sectors of La Serena and Coquimbo.

“Sales aren’t good and have dropped 80% compared to a normal period, because all activity is at a standstill due to the coronavirus, with few people and tourists. We are fishermen, so in that sense, the help is welcome. Not everyone is against the mining companies; the opposition comes from outsiders who come to create obstacles,” said Miguel Díaz, owner of the “El Lobito” store in Punta de Choros. Meanwhile, Lucinda Castillo, owner of the “El Cacique” supermarket in the coastal area of ​​Chungungo, emphasized that this is the first time in her 35 years of operation that a company has approached her to form an alliance with small businesses. “Dominga could have bought from other, larger suppliers, other supermarkets, but they believed in us. We are waiting for the Dominga project to move forward so we can have more opportunities,” she added.

“This shows that the Dominga project is in the community and is a great help that we are providing to the members and the people of La Higuera, and it is commendable that they are buying from the same local vendors,” said Alexis Sánchez, spokesperson for the La Higuera Community Association.
Warehouses benefited