Food aid organisation ‘Banco Alimentar Contra a Fome’ has thanked Portuguese people for their “generosity” in last weekend’s food drive, which saw donations increase 3.9% compared to last year.
Around 2.1 tons of food was donated and the food bank’s president Isabel Jonet admitted she had not expected such an increase.
“It was an act of generosity for all those who still need support to eat,” she told Lusa news agency.
Jonet explained that many times it is the people who are “receiving help” that most want to support the campaigns as a way of “giving something back”.
She added she believes the increase gives her “some hope” that the financial situation of the Portuguese people is improving.
Around 42,000 volunteers collected donations at over 2,000 establishments across the country.
Milk, rice, olive oil, pasta and canned goods were the foods most handed in.
Food collected will be delivered to 2,650 welfare organisations across the country which together support around 410,000 people.
Anyone keen to give can still do so online up to Sunday (June 7) via www.alimentestaideia.net or through the ongoing ‘Ajuda Vale’ campaign at supermarkets and petrol stations.
