The Food Bank Against Hunger campaign collected 2,150 tons of food this weekend, the social solidarity institution said this Monday, December 1st, 2.8% less than in the similar campaign in 2024.
The Food Bank highlighted 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 together around a table is a desire that each of us can help make come true,” added the institution.
The data reveals a decrease compared to the same campaign in 2024, which raised more than 2,213 tons of food, according to data released by the Food Bank in December last year.
Even so, the president of the Portuguese Federation of Food Banks against Hunger, Isabel Jonet, quoted in the statement, did not fail to praise the “ever-present supportive nature of the Portuguese”.
“We cannot fail to emphasize the role of volunteers, people of all ages, with different political and religious convictions who, by participating, side by side, contribute in a fraternal and supportive way to a more just and cohesive society”, added Jonet.
This weekend’s in-person campaign saw the participation of around 42,000 volunteers in more than two thousand commercial areas across the country.
“We must thank the thousands of donors, volunteers, companies and entities that supported this campaign, thus making their great contribution so that Food Banks can continue to help many people in need”, said Jonet.
According to the Food Bank, the food collected will be distributed from next week to 2,500 Social Solidarity Institutions, which will deliver it “to around 380 thousand people with proven food needs, in the form of baskets or prepared meals served in homes, home support, 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 7th, through vouchers available in supermarkets or on the electronic platform available at www.alimentestaideia.pt.
In 2024, the 21 Food Banks Against Hunger operating in Portugal distributed a total of 27.5 million kilograms of food, an average movement of 109 tons per working day, with an estimated global value of over 45 million euros.