Brooms, heavy machinery, hot meal distribution points, bags of sweets for children; camaraderie, support, solidarity. Just over a month ago, the Valencian Community faced a severe blow, with residents working to recover homes, streets, and entire towns devastated by the storm. The DANA has left indelible images, but also an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude for all those who gave their time, knowledge, and effort with the sole aim of helping to rebuild the hardest-hit areas.
The admirable commitment and wave of solidarity that has swept across Spain in recent weeks is the perfect example to commemorate this International Volunteer Day, which this year reminds us more than ever of the value of teamwork and generosity.
Camaraderie and Volunteering
At Hinojosa, these past weeks have been especially intense. Our roots and many of our facilities are based in Valencia. Fortunately, no personal harm befell our Hinojosa team or those closest to us. However, from our plants, we have witnessed the consequences of the flooding: waterlogged streets, families facing vulnerability, and entire communities grappling with unforeseen challenges.
But amidst the chaos and uncertainty, anonymous individuals, agricultural workers, non-profit organisations, and businesses came together in an extraordinary effort to restore calm and rebuild what was lost.
One example of this solidarity is Maite, a colleague at our Torrent plant and a resident of Aldaia, both affected areas. Although her home suffered little damage during the floods, she lost her car and many lifelong memories stored in her completely flooded basement.
“Seeing so many people set aside their personal time to help anyone in need was moving. Even those of us who had lost our cars or cherished memories wanted to assist neighbours in worse situations. Our priority was to clean houses so everyone could return home as soon as possible,” shares Maite, who also actively participated in cleaning efforts.
Another team member, Mohamed, also highlights the importance of mutual aid: “The reaction of colleagues makes you feel you are not alone. Now we share cars to get to work, and I’ve even seen colleagues offering their homes to those who still couldn’t return to theirs. I think we all feel very proud of the support network we’ve created.”
While the team focused on cleaning efforts and helping affected colleagues, the company managed resources to mitigate the impact on communities. Several Hinojosa plants dedicated their efforts to producing over 60,000 food boxes and packaging units, which were sent to collection centres in various municipalities.
Chefs and Farmers: Essential Aid to Restore Normality
In extreme situations like these, the most essential sectors regain the importance we often overlook. For example, farmers, a key pillar of the local economy, quickly organised and used all available machinery to help restore normality. Tractors and excavators were crucial in clearing streets, moving trapped vehicles, and removing tonnes of mud. This mobilisation not only highlighted the sector’s capacity for rapid action but also its deep ties to the community.
Amid the most strenuous physical tasks, chefs, restaurants, and prepared food establishments did what they do best: providing warmth through their dishes. Hot meals reached the hands of volunteers and affected families, becoming a symbol of care and humanity. This act offered emotional respite to those tirelessly working.
“It was touching to see the unity from the kitchen to the field. The chefs did an admirable job; having a hot meal when you still don’t have water or electricity at home feels almost like a luxury and helps you keep going with all the work ahead,” says Maite.
The Transformative Power of Teamwork
The DANA tested entire communities but also left a legacy of unity and solidarity that transcends adversity. The collaboration of students, professionals (farmers, architects, psychologists, teachers, chefs…), companies, and various organisations demonstrates that, when we work together, we not only rebuild what was lost but also strengthen hope for a better future.
At Hinojosa, we believe this spirit of cooperation must remain constant, not just a response to crises. As we have seen, the transformative power of teamwork knows no bounds.
