The 16th Solidarity Meal of AFA arrives on the Day of Manchego Pride of the Carnival of Villarrobledo.
The solidarity Manchego meal of AFA Villarrobledo does not miss its appointment with the Carnival, reaching its sixteenth edition this year.
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This was pointed out by the Mayor, Valentín Bueno, together with the councilor for social welfare, Cristina García, accompanied by the President of AFA Conchi García, the Vice President of the Association, Loli Espinosa, and the treasurer Antonio Jiménez.
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In this context, the Mayor highlighted that the Solidarity Meal of AFA is an emblematic event on the Day of Manchego Pride of the Carnival of Villarrobledo, which this year is celebrated on Tuesday, March 4th.
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A Carnival that is also charitable, as demonstrated by this massive meal that the Alzheimer’s Association of Villarrobledo has been celebrating for 16 years and which the entire city supports.
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The Mayor therefore thanks AFA for organizing this event, as well as for their work 365 days a year in caring for and improving the quality of life of their users and their families, something that this solidarity meal will surely contribute to, thanks to the selfless collaboration of the more than 1,000 people who gather in the old square on Carnival Tuesday.
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With the work of AFA and all the volunteers, the support of the city council, the collaboration of the business and commercial sector, and the commitment of the citizens, this solidarity meal is always a success and one of the most special events of the Carnival of Villarrobledo.
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In the same vein, the councilor for social welfare expressed her appreciation for the great work of the associative fabric of Villarrobledo, congratulating AFA for this event and for its great power of mobilization, as the old square is filled with solidarity every Tuesday of Carnival.
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For her part, Conchi García points out that this Solidarity Meal has been going on for 16 years, showing gratitude to the City Council, its cultural department, as well as to the Regional Government and the Provincial Council for their year after year support for this charitable event, which this year will once again be presented by the local humorist, Jesús Arenas, to whom AFA also expresses their gratitude for his selfless collaboration.
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Among the acknowledgments, they highlight all those who collaborate with the menu of the solidarity meal, such as Carnicería Reyes, which is in charge of the cold cuts for the appetizers, or the Comparsa El Gorrino Carreras, which provides the oranges that are included as dessert. AFA also thanks the Brotherhood of Jesus of Medinaceli for the use of their space on the street of the square where, during these days, the association sells its Manchego products at «La Perlita,» with its sewing workshop and all the voluntary hands that make it up, products that they also sell in their caravan, located in the old square throughout the carnival.
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In this sense, Conchi García points out that there are more than a hundred volunteers who collaborate in this Manchego meal to organize the 1,200 menus that are delivered in the Old Square, in addition to the menus that many people take home to eat.
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Among the acknowledgments, the more than 200 companies that donate their products that are raffled during the meal and all the neighbors who collaborate in this meal, which represents a significant financial boost for AFA and to continue offering their services and therapies to the nearly 100 users they currently have.
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The president of AFA points out that with the volunteers, the association’s staff, the members, and the family members and users, they have been able to provide service to people affected by Alzheimer and other dementias for 25 years. Silver jubilee that they celebrate precisely in this year 2025.
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The Vice President of the Association, Loli Espinosa, insists on highlighting the great collaboration of the business and commercial sector of Villarrobledo, which always contribute to this charitable event.
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She recalls that the Manchego meal menu consists of appetizers, a plate of Manchego gazpachos, an orange for dessert, and as a sweet, sponge cake or fried doughnuts, all washed down with «zurra» thanks to the collaboration of local wineries. All this for a donation of 15 euros, which helps AFA and its users and families.
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Loli Espinosa specifies that the capacity at the Old Square is 1,200 people, so she encourages buying tickets as soon as possible. Additionally, this year, with the intention of expediting the entry of diners, the doors will open half an hour earlier to allow time to settle at the tables and also facilitate this for the most vulnerable groups that always accompany them, such as Asprona, the Elderly Residence, or Madre Amparo.
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The meals will start being served at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, and at quarter to 2, the reserved home delivery menus will be handed out.
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After the meal, there will be the traditional raffle of all the products donated by local companies and businesses from all sectors, to whom they reiterate their thanks.
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Tickets for the meal can be obtained at numerous collaborating businesses in Villarrobledo, as well as at the Alzheimer’s Day Center, at La Perlita, and through the association’s volunteers.