A “record” three million kilos of food were donated by the Algarve Food Bank to over 26,000 people in the Algarve in 2020, “despite the new challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic”.
What’s most impressive is that the food bank was able to collect more food than ever even though the pandemic limited the number of food drives it could carry out.
Speaking to national news agency Lusa, Algarve Food Bank president Nuno Alves explained that the organisation is now helping more than 26,000 people compared to the 16,000 it supported before the pandemic.
It is also assisting 119 institutions, more than the 104 pre-Covid.
And if January is anything to go by, more and more people are likely to request assistance in 2021. The number of food products donated in January has increased compared to December, said Alves.
Thankfully, more government funding has been provided since October, said the food bank, allowing it to double the amount of food products it is able to deliver to those in need.
“We continue to work hard, things aren’t easy, but we are here and moving forward,” said Alves, adding that it is still unclear whether the food bank’s usual May Food Drive will be able to go ahead due to the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic.
Anyone interested in helping can deliver their donations to the closest Banco Alimentar HQ (see the closest near you at bancoalimentar.pt) or purchase them online at alimentestaideia.pt
