The Food Banks Against Hunger collected 1,695 tons of food during the weekend in which the national campaign was developed, the president of the Portuguese Federation of Food Banks Against Hunger reported Monday.
“We manufactured 72 tons more than in May 2019, 4.4% more, despite the price increase” of the food, in the current context, said Isabel Jonet to Lusa, underlining “an extraordinary result”.
“The Portuguese are extraordinary. It’s moving,” he said.
The collected food will begin to be distributed starting next week, helping to meet the food needs of approximately 400 thousand people, supported by 2,600 institutionseither through food baskets, or through prepared meals served in homes, nurseries, home support, soup kitchens, among others, the official said in a statement.
The most donated foods were non-perishable products, such as milk, rice, olive oil, pasta, sugar, breakfast cereals, crackers, grains and beans, it added.
Regarding requests for help, Isabel Jonet said that they are increasing, “not only by people, but also by institutions, because many have not yet seen their agreements with Social Security renegotiated and have to respond in the valences of homes and nurseries, make the food, and everything is more expensive”.
The food collection promoted by the Food Banks returned this weekend to supermarkets, in first campaign after confinement imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, involving nearly 40 thousand volunteers.
Until June 5, the “Ajuda de Vale” campaign is also underway, with vouchers available in all supermarkets, each with a specific barcode, corresponding to the food selected for donation, whose value is added at the time of payment. , or at checkout website, a donation portal online (www.alimentestaideia.pt).
In December 2021, the 21 Food Banks managed to collect 1,680 tons of food, which contributed to feeding more than 380,000 people with proven deficiencies, identified by the approximately 2,500 institutions and entities that operate in the field, accompanied by the Food Bank of the respective region. , according to data from the Portuguese Federation of Food Banks against Hunger.
We appreciate everyone who participated, donated food, and volunteered. Once again, the Portuguese generously and enthusiastically accepted the challenge of the Food Banks and continued to nurture this idea, contributing with their individual help to give great collective help to the 400,000 people who still face food shortages, despite the inflationary context that we are experiencing. currently experimenting”, highlights Isabel Jonet, in the same note.
Source: Observadora
