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        <full_title>WSEAS TRANSACTIONS ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS</full_title>
        <issn media_type="print">1109-9526</issn>
        <issn media_type="electronic">2224-2899</issn>
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        <titles>
          <title>The Cost of Providing Meals in Greek Non-Profit Organizations: Evidence from Soup Kitchens and Residential Care Facilities</title>
        </titles>
        <contributors>
          <person_name sequence="first" contributor_role="author">
            <given_name>Dimitrios</given_name>
            <surname>Nentas</surname>
            <affiliations>
              <institution>
                <institution_name>Department of Business Administration University of West Attica Ancient Olive Groves Campus, 250 Thivon str., GR-12242 Egaleo, Athens GREECE</institution_name>
              </institution>
            </affiliations>
          </person_name>
          <person_name sequence="additional" contributor_role="author">
            <given_name>Sotirios</given_name>
            <surname>Petropoulos</surname>
            <affiliations>
              <institution>
                <institution_name>Department of Political Science and International Relations University of Peloponnese 1 Aristotelous Street &amp; Athinon Avenue Corinth GREECE</institution_name>
              </institution>
            </affiliations>
          </person_name>
          <person_name sequence="additional" contributor_role="author">
            <given_name>Klimis</given_name>
            <surname>Ntalianis</surname>
            <affiliations>
              <institution>
                <institution_name>Department of Business Administration University of West Attica Ancient Olive Groves Campus, 250 Thivon str., GR-12242 Egaleo, Athens GREECE </institution_name>
              </institution>
            </affiliations>
          </person_name>
          <person_name sequence="additional" contributor_role="author">
            <given_name>Nikolaos</given_name>
            <surname>Mastorakis</surname>
            <affiliations>
              <institution>
                <institution_name>Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Hellenic Naval Academy Terma Chatzikyriakou, 18539 Piraeus, GREECE </institution_name>
              </institution>
            </affiliations>
          </person_name>
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          <jats:p>This study examines the cost of preparing and providing meals by non-profit organizations in Greece that support people facing food insecurity. Using questionnaire data from 76 valid responses, the research explores both the average reported cost per meal and the broader operational conditions of these organizations. The findings show that the mean declared cost per meal is €3.50, indicating the significant financial effort required to sustain charitable meal provision. Beyond cost estimation, the study highlights administrative, organizational, and resource-related challenges that affect the sustainability and efficiency of non-profit food assistance structures in Greece. Overall, the paper provides an initial empirical contribution to understanding the economics of charitable meal provision and supports the need for stronger financial monitoring and evidence-based planning in the sector.</jats:p>
        </jats:abstract>
        <publication_date media_type="print">
          <month>12</month>
          <day>31</day>
          <year>2025</year>
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        <publication_date media_type="online">
          <month>12</month>
          <day>31</day>
          <year>2025</year>
        </publication_date>
        <pages>
          <first_page>2884</first_page>
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        <publisher_item>
          <item_number item_number_type="article_number">227</item_number>
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          <doi>10.37394/23207.2025.22.227</doi>
          <resource>https://wseas.com/journals/bae/2025/e605107-063(2025).pdf</resource>
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