Elvira Villasmil ♡ To care is to love ♡ Help now
🍽 Food and budget

Real food to support their minds

Food is part of their daily care. I prioritize simple, nourishing ingredients to support not only their physical health, but also the clarity and dignity of the three women I care for in Maracaibo.

View the budget Foods we use Help now
Elvira Villasmil with her mother and aunts in Maracaibo

What we eat and why

This is not a medical diet or a universal recommendation. It is the way I am trying to feed them better, based on my experience, using real food and staying within our means.

🥚

Affordable protein

Eggs, sardines, tuna, chicken, and affordable cuts of meat to support strength and satiety.

🧈

Natural fats

Natural butter, cream, and full-fat dairy products when they are available and affordable.

🥕

Simple vegetables

Tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, and other basic foods that add freshness and complement meals.

♡

Care and balance

We buy according to what we have. Each food is chosen with health, budget, and practical usefulness in mind.

Foods we prioritize

These are the foods that help us most in our daily routine.

🥚
EggsComplete, practical, and versatile protein.
🐟
Sardines in waterAffordable, nutritious, and easy to serve.
🥫
Tuna in waterA practical protein for emergencies or quick meals.
🥩
Beef shank and ribsAffordable cuts that work well in soups and stews.
🍗
ChickenWhen the budget allows.
🧀
CheeseBlock or grated, depending on availability.
🥛
Cream and dairyA source of energy and satiety.
🧈
Natural butterA natural fat for cooking and serving with meals.
🍅
TomatoA daily base for salads and meals.
🥕
CarrotA simple, economical vegetable that is easy to prepare.
🥒
CucumberFresh, hydrating, and affordable when available.
🥭
PapayaA simple fruit when we can afford it.

What we avoid

To better care for their nutrition, I try to avoid foods that fill the stomach without providing much nourishment, and I prefer not to receive them as donations for the household.

∅
Refined flour products
∅
Pasta
∅
Sweets
∅
Cookies
∅
Ultra-processed foods
🕊
I say this respectfully so that donated help can be more useful.
This does not diminish any kind gesture. It is simply a way to ensure that every donation is useful and becomes food that nourishes their bodies and supports their overall well-being.
Care is not only about filling a stomach. It is also about trying to nourish.

Estimated monthly budget

This is not a luxury budget. It is the practical cost of providing three nourishing meals a day and the basic hygiene supplies they need.

Category Monthly quantity Unit cost Monthly total
Eggs32 trays8.50 USD272.00 USD
Sardinas180 cans0.90 USD162.00 USD
Meat: beef shank / ribs32 kg6.00 USD192.00 USD
Tomatos36 kg4.50 USD162.00 USD
Cucumber / zanahoria20 kg2.00 USD40.00 USD
Cheese en bloque4 kg8.00 USD32.00 USD
Cheese rallado4 containers4.00 USD16.00 USD
Cream4 containers3.00 USD12.00 USD
Butter4 containers2.50 USD10.00 USD
Papaya4 units2.50 USD10.00 USD
Toilet paper6 packages3.50 USD21.00 USD
Trash bags4 packages3.00 USD12.00 USD
Laundry detergent1 package3.00 USD3.00 USD
Medium adult diapers1 package23.00 USD23.00 USD
Estimated total968.00 USD
⚠️
This amount may vary.
Prices in Maracaibo change depending on availability, inflation, location, special offers, and transportation.
See the full list here →

Why the amount may seem high

Some people may be surprised by a figure close to USD 968, so I want to explain it clearly.

1. It is about real nourishment

The list covers food and basic hygiene. It does not include luxuries or unnecessary products.

2. The Maracaibo factor

Many products are expensive here. A tray of eggs, a kilogram of tomatoes, or a basic grocery purchase can cost much more than people living elsewhere may imagine.

3. Caregiving is my current work

My working life is on hold because caregiving requires daily dedication. Shopping, cooking, managing resources, and sustaining the household are also work.

4. Unexpected needs always arise

A household with older adults needs room for transportation, medicines, extra hygiene supplies, price increases, and small emergencies.

You can also donate food directly

You do not need to send money if you would rather purchase something directly. Every practical contribution is deeply appreciated.

  • Sardines strictly packed in water.
  • Tuna strictly packed in water.
  • Eggs.
  • Tomatos, zanahorias, pepino o lechosa.
  • Beef shank, beef ribs, or chicken.
  • Cheese, nata o mantequilla natural.
  • Toilet paper, bolsas de basura, jabón de lavar o pañales talla M.
Coordinate through WhatsApp

Every meal is an act of love

We do not always have everything we would ideally like, but each day I make the effort to give them the best I can with what we have.

When someone donates food or helps us buy groceries, that support becomes meals served, energy, peace of mind, and dignity.

A small donation can become breakfast, dinner, or one more peaceful day at home.

Your support becomes food, health, and quality of life

Thank you for helping me feed and care for my mother and aunts with dignity. Every contribution matters.

♡ Help now See updates
elviravillasmil.com · Maracaibo, Venezuela · Thank you for seeing, understanding, and helping. Every contribution matters.
Talk to
Elvira
🇪🇸 Spanish 🇺🇸 English