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Pre-Christmas Food Bank collection - 'proof of the generosity of the Portuguese public'

fome5Food Banks Against Hunger collected more than 2,200 tons of food in its vital pre-Christmas campaign across 2,000 supermarkets in 21 regions of the country.

Isabel Jonet, the president of the Portuguese Federation of Food Banks against Hunger service, said that the large amount of food donated is proof of the generosity of the Portuguese public who once again has supported an initiative that, twice a year, collects food to alleviate hunger year round.

"Although we can not yet add up the final total, support this weekend was very positive. This was a year in which the Portuguese were called to contribute due to the tragedy of the fires that personally and materially hurt so many families.

“People are well aware that the economic recovery has not yet reached the poorest people and they expressed their solidarity when they went shopping, sharing food with the most needy," said Jonet, who made a point of saying, "thank you to the thousands of donors, volunteers and companies and other organisations that supported this campaign, making a great contribution so that the Food Banks can continue to serve the many people in need.

The food collected will be distributed next week to 2,630 Social Solidarity Institutions, which then deliver food baskets or cooked meals, to about 420,000 people who do not enough to eat.

Those who want to donate can use the online platform, www.alimentestaideia.pt set up for people who do not normally go to a supermarket or who live outside Portugal.

The Food Bank has data from a biannual report from the Centre for Studies and Surveys at the Portuguese Catholic University showing that 67% of families supported by social solidarity institutions have monthly net incomes of less than €500.

"We know this year has been particularly difficult, especially for everyone involved in the summer fires. The Portuguese have shown enormous generosity and solidarity, with numerous contributions for all victims," said Jonet, adding that" it is very important not to forget that, every day, there are still people who need help with food, especially at a time like Christmas, where having family around a table is a wish that we have to fulfil."

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Pictured above: In 2013, with its partners at Rotary International, members of the Rotary Club Estoi Palace International made a huge difference to hungry families across the Algarve with the donation of a new refrigerated truck to the Banco Alimentar Contra Fome (Food Bank) in Faro.

See: 'Rotarians deliver chilled truck to help feed the poor'