“This campaign by the Banco Alimentar, consisting of 21 food banks across the national territory, including the mainland, Madeira, and the Azores, once again sees numerous volunteers eager to contribute their time and donate food,” stated Isabel Jonet on the first day of the solidarity initiative.
“It is always a great joy for us to have the President of the Republic present, and I want to thank him for continually raising awareness about volunteerism and for his commitment to mobilizing civil society in the fight against poverty,” added Jonet.
According to Isabel Jonet, the food banks are currently supporting “more than 380,000 people.”
She elaborated, saying, “This means nearly 4% of the Portuguese population receives food assistance from these major campaigns and through the daily efforts using surplus resources available in our society.”
In the same remarks, Jonet publicly thanked Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa for his support and dedication to the cause of food banks throughout his two terms.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa responded with gratitude to the Federation of Food Banks and noted that “the best way to say thank you” is by volunteering next year, after his presidential duties, to work “at the hours they require.”
“I will be here as a volunteer,” he emphasized.
On October 17, the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) Portugal highlighted the persistent issue of over two million people at risk of poverty, indicating that this remains a structural problem in the country.
The food collection campaign by Banco Alimentar Contra a Fome involves over 42,000 volunteers across 2,000 stores nationwide, encouraging the sharing of non-perishable food items with those in need.
The campaign runs until November 30 in physical stores and extends online at www.alimentestaideia.pt until December 7.
