Hundreds of volunteers will take their places in supermarkets throughout the Algarve to collect donations over the two-day campaign.
An online donation drive is also being held at the same time, from 20 November until 6 December.
On top of that, under the campaign’s theme ‘Giving Twice’, the traditional plastic bags that are usually handed out for shoppers to fill with donations will be replaced with recyclable paper bags, which the Food Bank can exchange throughout the year for non-perishable essential goods.
Since its creation in May 2007 the Algarve Food Bank has distributed some 7,324 tons of food, or the equivalent of over 14 million meals.
Last year the number of institutions it supports rose from 70 to 100, covering 95 percent of the families flagged by social welfare (around 8,000 families and 23,000 people) as being in need of meals.
In a statement the Algarve Food Bank said: “The needs of these institutions compel us daily to reorganise and streamline efforts, so we can respond to all requests. But our goal remains to do better, both with regards to the collection process and in terms of controlling and optimising the use of donated goods.”
The Food Bank is appealing to the public not only to donate food while shopping, but also to consider giving up time to volunteer for the cause.
For more information, see: www.bacfalgarve.pt.