The Food Bank Against Hunger campaign collected 2,150 tons of food this weekend, the social solidarity institution announced today, 2.8% less than in the same campaign in 2024.
The Food Bank stressed in a statement that “on a daily basis, there are still people who need help to eat, especially at a time like Christmas.
“Having the family gathered around a table is a wish that each of us can help to fulfill,” the institution added.
The data reveals a decrease compared to the same campaign in 2024, which collected more than 2,213 tons of food.
Nevertheless, president of the Portuguese Federation of Food Banks Against Hunger, Isabel Jonet, quoted in the statement, did not fail to praise the “ever-present solidarity of the Portuguese people.
“We cannot fail to emphasise the role of volunteers, people of all ages, with diverse political and religious convictions who, participating side-by-side, contribute in a fraternal and supportive way to a more just and cohesive society,” she said.
This weekend’s in-person campaign involved around 42,000 volunteers in over 2,000 commercial establishments across the country.
“We must thank the thousands of donors, volunteers, companies and organisations that supported this campaign, thus making a great contribution so that Food Banks can continue to help many people in need,” said Jonet.
According to the organisation, the collected food will be distributed starting next week to 2,500 Social Solidarity Institutions, which will deliver it “to approximately 380,000 people with proven food needs, in the form of food baskets or prepared meals served in homes, home support services, daycare centers, meals for homeless people, among others.”
In addition to this weekend’s in-person campaign, it will also be possible to contribute, until December 7, through vouchers available in supermarkets or on online platform: www.alimentestaideia.pt.
In 2024, the 21 Food Banks Against Hunger operating in Portugal distributed a total of 27.5 million kilos of food – an average movement of 109 tons per working day, for an estimated total value of over €45 million.
Helping at one of the distribution centres over the weekend, outgoing President of the Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa admitted his frustration at seeing poverty levels in Portugal unshiftable through his 10-year tender. There were one in five Portuguese ‘in poverty’ when Marcelo took office in 2016 and this number persists to this day.
Source: LUSA
