The Troboda in Catalonia, Spain, is offering those who can’t afford to eat out an alternative to paying their bill with money.
According to euronews, the Troboda restaurant in Catalonia, Spain, is offering the long time unemployed the opportunity to trade an hour’s work for a free meal. And the idea is a hit.
These “time customers,” as they’re called, help serve, clean, and cook, and in exchange they get a full meal. Julia Gonzalez, who has been out of work for over a year says, “I think this is great. I love it. Since I have been here I feel more optimistic. I have made lots of friends. We all stick together and encourage each other. It is a unique opportunity.”
As euronews explains, half the meals in the restaurant are served as “part of the work exchange scheme,” which is a joint venture between about 30 local charities and the Terrassa city council. Xavier Casas, the restaurant’s man anger estimates that during the first year more than 15,000 hours of work will be logged by the volunteers. He says, “”Soup kitchens have to play a social role, this restaurant scheme is different. They’re complementary. This is aimed at people wanting to regain and strengthen their self-esteem. People wanting to improve their daily lives.”
The program is seen by it’s supporters as an “alternative way of contributing to the economy—and helping some of Spain’s long-term unemployed.” Spain currently has more than 6 million unemployed, and more than 3.5 million of those are considered “long-term unemployed,” meaning they have been out of work for at least a year, many even longer.
