The Algarve's Alcoutim council has voted on making a financial contribution to the Food Bank Against Hunger in the Algarve to esnure the poor of the area get supplies.
The decision to send a cheque for €5,000 resulted from a meeting arranged by the council between representatives of the local food bank and local institutions that help the poor. These bodies have been encouraged to apply for food aid for onward distribution.
According to Alcoutim Council the Food Bank Against Hunger sends fortnightly supplies to these organisations which will distribute them locally to people in need.
The money will ensure this service continues to the benefit of the Alcoutim poor, many of whom will accept food delivered quietly but are unwilling to queue up to accept charity.
Between 22,000 and 25,000 people are in need of food aid in the Algarve, according to the latest estimate by Nuno Alves, the head of the Food Bank in the Algarve region, which already supports 16,000 poor people through 70 local institutions.
In the last two years there has been an increase of 2,000 people receiving essential food support from the Food Bank, although "the number of institutions covered has remained in the 70," added Alves.
This year the Food Bank is to start carrying vegetables and meat using the brand new €42,000 chilled truck (pictured) donated by the Rotary Club Estoi Palace International in August 2013.
Data from the latest campaign by the Food Bank Algarve indicates that about 158 tons of food was collected from 133 supermarkets, thanks to the help of about 2,700 volunteers.
