The inauguration of the new Social Grocery Store took place today at the Complexo Palheiro Ferreiro, in addition to the opening of the ‘Entre Vizinhos Café.’ Both of these new spaces are dedicated to providing the necessary socialisation areas and support for the local community.
The event was attended by the President of the Funchal City Council, Cristina Pedra, accompanied by the social department councillor, Helena Leal, and the President of the Municipal Assembly, José Luís Nunes.
The new facilities aim to support about 30 families living in the Palheiro Ferreiro and Canto do Muro Housing Complexes, who have been previously identified by the Department of Social Management of SocioHabitat Funchal (SHF) as being in financial and social hardship. The creation of the Social Grocery is the result of a protocol signed between the SHF and the Food Bank Against Hunger – Madeira, with the support of the Municipality of Funchal, costing €20.500.
This amount includes the remodeling works of the space, carried out by the CMF of Mobility, Infrastructures and Equipment which cost approximately €9,000 and acquisition of equipment costing €11,000.
During the inauguration, councilor Helena Leal underlined that this space will be managed by SHF technicians, responsible for sorting and delivering food to families. The new grocery store will allow those in need to ‘go shopping,’ thus giving greater autonomy, self-respect, and choice to those allowed to use the space.
In addition to the practical component, the mayor highlighted that the space also aims to foster civic and moral values, through psychoeducational work, with a view to creating a sense of community and of valuing the collective among residents. Thus, the space will allow allotment holders to share some of the produce grown on the social gardens, promoting reciprocity and direct exchange of goods.
In addition to the Social Grocery Store, the café Entre Vizinhos will function as an important meeting space to combat social isolation social> The new cafe will be open seven days a week through the collaboration of families and residents of the Housing Complex.
Finally, the Mayor highlighted the partnership with the Department of Education of the CMF, which will promote food awareness sessions and showcooking within the scope of the “Semear” Food Strategy.
“Our goal is to replicate projects like this in other contexts, given their importance for housing complexes,” concluded Helena Leal.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
