Around 2,000 needy families in the Loulé council area will receive a Christmas hamper each this month.
The initiative, promoted by the Câmara, aims to ensure that the poorer members of the community have a brighter festive season.
A spokesman said: “This year, our help is particularly important in the face of the country’s grave socioeconomic problems.”
Food items such as codfish, chickpeas, olive oil, rice and Christmas cake bolo-rei are included in the hamper.