These are hard times with prices only going up. For many, the struggle to make ends meet is discouraging and can be unsuccessful. If even a small appliance breaks, such as the microwave, that only adds pressure.
Employees of the Curacao store chain are paying attention and in response are rolling out a new program: Essential Needs Assistance Program.
Using a simple application, people may apply for some small but needed supplies.
“It makes me feel very proud to work in this company because we basically are giving back the trust that our customers put in us,” Yolanda Nieblas, Tucson’s Curacao operations manager, said. “For free they are giving small appliances like microwaves and televisions…We know the struggle. They are even giving away basic groceries for those families as well.”
Basic groceries means foodstuff such as beans, rice or canned tomatoes, for example. For those who may not even be able to get to the store, Nieblas said the supplies can be delivered.
Anyone may apply, documented or not, Nieblas said, and the entire process is completely confidential. The application asks for the most basic information: name, phone number, email address and a brief statement of the help that’s needed.
“Is there anything you’d like to share about your current situation or how we can help you?” the application asks.
“We’re not going to ask anything else of you,” Nieblas said. “That’s it.”
Once the send button has been clicked, the application zooms off to the Curacao company and all of the apps get reviewed.
“Then they’re going to get in contact with the applicant,” Nieblas said. “As I said, it will be completely confidential. You can trust the company (to not give) your information away.”
There are a few guidelines. Curacao will review applications in the order in which they are received. They will accept only one application per household and, according to the Curacao website, the company can only accept a limited number of applications.
The application form is in Spanish. Those wishing to apply who do not speak Spanish should have someone nearby who can help with translation, or use a free Google translator.
Nieblas spoke with pride about her employer. “I don’t think many companies do a program like this.” .
Curacao’s Essential Needs Assistance Program
icuracao.com/pages/estamoscontigo
Google translator: translate.google.com
This article appears in Jul 24-31, 2025.