A Christmas cake auction organised by the Resident has raised €400 for the Portimão Soup Kitchen, which this year is providing 250 hot meals on Christmas Day.
For one week, the Resident accepted bids for the cake on its Facebook page. The winning bid was presented by José Pessoa, who picked up the cake from the Resident’s office in Lagoa on Wednesday.
José Pessoa told us: “When this initiative appeared on social media, and I realised money was being raised for 250 meals … that is a lot of meals! To accomplish this endeavour, the Portimão Soup Kitchen will need a substantial amount of money – €400 will not be enough, I’m sure, but I hope it helps with their goal.
“Of course, we should all think of those most in need all year round, and if we are able to help, then it is our duty to do so. The festive season is a special time, and I felt it was the right thing to do to come forward and support this very worthy local cause.”
Photo: INÊS LOPES/OPEN MEDIA GROUP
The stunning Christmas cake, which was baked by fundraiser Alison Firth’s mother Valerie, was handed over to José Pessoa by Margarida Jerónimo, who was representing the family.
The Christmas cake is a traditional rich fruit and nut cake, soaked with brandy and covered in a blizzard of icing with a layer of marzipan underneath and charming Christmas decorations on top. It is eight inches in diameter and weighs 3kg!
Explaining why she decided to support the Portimão Soup Kitchen, Alison told us: “This hard-working soup kitchen serves hot meals, soups, sandwiches, yoghurts etc to up to 250 people, three times a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays).
“They have a large group of volunteers who give up their time to make sure the doors are open to provide this service.”
This Christmas, volunteers want to make sure everyone who needs a hot meal will receive one.
By INÊS LOPES
