In total 1,921 tonnes of food were gathered and will be distributed among more than 2,300 social welfare institutions, helping to feed over 436,000 hungry people with proven needs.
Under the motto ‘Sharing Tastes Good’ the campaign appealed for solidarity, volunteering and social unity and stressed the importance of the contributions and involvement of each and every person.
As well as collecting items, volunteers also gave up their time over the weekend to help transport, weigh and separate donated products.
A statement from the Food Bank described the twice-yearly national drives as “extraordinary chains of solidarity where each link – the people who put their donations in the Food Bank’s bags, the volunteers who give up their time and work, and the companies who ensure insurance, transport, meals, safety and cleaning – is indispensible and equally important.”
Established in 1991 the national Food Bank is made up of 21 local food banks and is part of a network of 278 European food banks.
Last year the Portuguese Food Bank distributed a total of 27,878 tonnes of food, estimated to be worth in the region of €39 million, to help feed and restore the dignity of the country’s hungry and needy.
A coupon campaign and online donation campaign will continue to run until this Sunday, 5 June.
For more information, see: www.alimentestaideia.net