Food collected destined for 400,000 citizens on poverty level
This weekend’s campaign encouraging shoppers to “give a little” to those less fortunate has seen 928 tons of food already collected in roughly 2,000 supermarkets throughout the country.
But president of the Banco Alimentar Contra a Fome (Food Bank against HungerBanco Alimentar Contra a Fome), Isabel Jonet, stresses the next few months are going to continue “difficult for many families”. She has appealed for the solidarity of “all Portuguese”.
The latest campaign ends today, thus a final tally of the food collected will probably only be known on Monday (see below).
In the meantime, President Marcelo has also ‘taken part’ in the initiative, visiting the food bank yesterday, and warning of the “very high number” of citizens at risk of food poverty.
The food amassed this weekend will go to 2,600 social solidarity institutions helping around 400,000 families.
While being interviewed by journalists, the president returned to the points he made in his speech to the nation on Thursday: “Even in a situation in which large numbers are positive, day-to-day life is not as positive as the large numbers” – and thus the ‘urgency’ to address the situations of the country’s less privileged.
UPDATE MONDAY: final tally of food collected: 1,719 tons
