Kitchen soups and the October uprising in Chile: exploring their connection with collective action frames in pandemic times

Abstract This article explores the connections between the October uprising in Chile and the emergence of kitchen soups (KS) as mutual aid during the COVID-19 pandemic. It examines the linguistic aspect of five KS names and their respective collective action frames (CAF) as tools for expressing shared goals, identities, and aspirations. By interviewing their founders, the study triangulates the relationship between KS and the October uprising. The analysis reveals a significant relationship between the social movement’s CAF and grassroots KS initiatives, highlighting the transformative potential of collective action. Additionally, the article explores how KS emerge as a continuation of the October social movement, creating new avenues for mobilization, resistance, and activism and community building. It argues that networks established during the social movement provided a strong foundation for KS’s success. Ultimately, it shows the power of political grassroots organizing and solidarity in times of crisis, emphasizing these movements’ potential to achieve lasting social justice.