Dear Editor,
I live in Carvoeiro and have seen in two locations in the centre of the town and also outside Intermarché supermarket large white collection bins with the name “Sarah” in orange letters on them. These bins request clothes, toys and shoes to be deposited in them.
I like to recycle my family’s excess possessions and give willingly to charities, where I think they are well deserved.
However, even though these bins also carry the logo of the Lagoa Bombeiros I have been unable to find any details of the destination of the deposited articles; can you please help in this matter and perhaps if it is a really worthy cause give some publicity to it.
I should add that on a recent visit to the west coast I saw similar bins along the roadside.
Jackie Alcock
By email
Editor’s note: Dear Jackie, we have contacted Lagoa Bombeiros about this matter and were told to speak to the company responsible for the collection of the items, as they had “no idea” where the items would go to. We then contacted the company, SARAH Trading, which, according to their website, is based in Vila Verde (Seia), and were told that they collect the items from the containers, take them to a sorting depot, where used clothes, shoes and household items are then either donated to charitable causes (in Portugal), recycled or sent abroad to be sold in countries such as in Africa or the Middle East. “This is necessary to support the costs of the company,” said the spokesman, who added that charitable institutions in need of items should contact them and a delivery would be made “promptly”. We then spoke to the Carvoeiro Junta de Freguesia President, Jorge Pardal, who confirmed that the containers have been approved by Lagoa Câmara. He advises residents who want to help “local” causes to deliver the items directly to the Junta. “We will then, in conjunction with the Câmara, ensure the items are delivered to the needy of the area,” said Jorge Pardal.
