A charitable menu in Málaga to bring Christmas Eve forward for those in need

While in many homes in Malaga the morning of Christmas Eve unfolds among last-minute shopping, family calls, and dinner preparations, Christmas arrives several hours early in the Santo Domingo esplanade. There, there are no gift bags or carts filled from the supermarket, but there is a continuously growing line and an atmosphere marked by waiting, music, and the smell of freshly made food. On December 24, away from the commercial noise, this space becomes a meeting point for those who have nowhere to sit that night.

At noon, more than forty volunteers from the Malaga Angels of the Night are already tirelessly working. They organize bags, distribute tickets, coordinate shifts, and ensure that nothing is missing from each menu they deliver. Hundreds of people will pass through their hands throughout the morning to pick up a complete Christmas Eve dinner. For many of them, it is not just about food, but about feeling visible, cared for, and accompanied on a day that usually weighs more than any other.

"We aim to ensure that everyone has their Christmas dinner," explains Adolfo Aldana Muñoz, secretary of the Malaga Angels of the Night and, for many years, one of the architects of this charitable initiative. For him, it's as if it were the first time: the nerves pile up before opening the doors and being able to distribute among the users red bags that contain an omelet, half a roast chicken with garnish, and typical sweets of this season, such as mantecados and turrón.

Although this December 24 more than 500 meals are distributed, the generosity of many people from Malaga has allowed donations to reach 2,000 in this new edition. "Every year it seems that we are improving and preparing things better," Aldana observes, who also recognizes that the excitement continues to be the driving force that moves the volunteers throughout these dates.

2,000 donations

Another driving force of the initiative lies in these donations made by both individuals and companies. Chickens, milk, ham legs... All kinds of food cross the door of the Malaga Angels of the Night to contribute, each one, their grain of sand during these significant dates. In fact, as one of their most veteran volunteers, Juan Antonio, explains, they estimate that they have exceeded the threshold of a thousand chickens donated for this Christmas Eve of 2026.

Among the volunteers themselves, there are people of many different ages and ethnicities, although all with the same goal: to prepare the solidarity menus. About twenty people, with Christmas decorations, pack chickens and omelets in bags while singing carols at the same pace. One of them is Beatriz Zambruno, who is also an ambassador for the IDILIQ Foundation and supports causes like these to help those "people invisible to society," as she herself describes them.

In her particular case, this December 24, along with the rest of her colleagues—"volunteers at heart"—she experiences it with great emotion, joy, and devotion; three pillars on which her desire to help others is based. "In my particular case, there is no Christmas where the Malaga Angels of the Night are not present. When you see this number of people who come throughout the year, it's something that touches your heart," she explains.

The stories of the volunteers

Each of the volunteers who decides to take time to help during this morning comes with their own story behind them, with similarities and differences, but all eager to contribute from the heart. One case is that of Isabel Ramos, born in Brussels (Belgium), but a resident of Madrid for many years. In 2016, she decided to take a leave of absence and come to Malaga, where she had been following the Malaga Angels of the Night on social media for some time, until in May she decided to join the association. This is her first year distributing solidarity menus on Christmas Eve. "It was what I wanted to do for a long time, and it's wonderful to be able to help," she confesses.

The story of Eduardo Oliva is another one that is made to be told. The Paralympic triathlete and three-time world champion decided to complete a charity challenge of 14,000 meters swimming on December 13 with the goal of raising funds to finance Christmas Eve meals for people in vulnerable situations attended by the Night Angels. Not only that: this Christmas Eve morning he has also been packing the meals, many of whose foods were donated thanks to his effort.

"I have goosebumps. I don't know anyone and it seems like I've been with them all my life," says an emotionally overwhelmed Eduardo Oliva

His relationship with the organization happened by chance. While preparing the charity challenge, an advertisement about the initiative appeared, and without thinking twice, he decided to donate all the funds raised to the association. Although his initial goal was to reach 50 meals, the success of his test allowed him to reach 140. "And I fell short," the athlete emphasizes. "I have goosebumps. I don't know anyone and it seems like I've been with them all my life," he says, emotionally overwhelmed.

The distribution of the meals is carried out in an organized and efficient manner. Each user previously receives a ticket, which allows rigorous control through a list and ensures that everyone can access their Christmas Eve dinner without crowding or inconvenience. Additionally, aware of different needs and beliefs, the volunteers offer alternatives for those who do not consume pork, ensuring that no one is excluded from this charitable celebration.