Banco Alimentar Contra a Fome (National Food Bank Against Hunger) is promoting a national food collection campaign between Thursday the 27th of May until the 6th of June, at participating supermarkets and through its online donation platform. The initiative is run in conjunction with Ajuda Vale, and through the alimentestaideia.pt website, since the Covid-19 pandemic health and security measures prevent donations being handed over in person.
Isabel Jonet, the President of the Portuguese Federation of Food Banks Against Hunger, issued a statement saying: “Unfortunately, there are now thousands of families who rely on our campaigns to put food on their their table.” Using their motto “At our table there is always room for one more,” the campaign aims to raise awareness among the population as well as ask them to contribute “and support families who are struggling to feed themselves on a daily basis.”
Donating couldn’t be simpler, as all participating stores will provide signs and literature on how to donate, as well as providing food vouchers, which will be available at the supermarket checkouts until the 31st of May. Each voucher has a specific bar code associated with the products that are intended to be donated. Banco Alimentar also offers the online donation portal alimentestaideia.pt, where you can choose from a selection of perishable goods which ones you would like to donate.
According to data from the Portuguese Federation of Food Banks Against Hunger, last year, the 21 Food Banks operating in Portugal distributed 29,474 tons of food (with an estimated value of 41.2 million euros), which went to feed 450,000 people with proven needs. Those supported by the charity were either given baskets of food or cooked meals.
The Food Bank was created in Portugal in 1991. Currently, there are 21 Food Banks in Abrantes, Algarve, Aveiro, Beja, Braga, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Cova da Beira, Évora, Leiria-Fátima, Lisbon, Madeira, Zona West, Portalegre, Porto, São Miguel, Santarém, Setúbal, Terceira, Viana do Castelo and Viseu.
Even one item can make a difference to someone.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
