According to GNR, the pieces offered, were seized this year, during the operational activity developed in the district of Guarda.

Throughout the year, the Territorial Command seized various counterfeit materials that, by court decision, were declared lost to the state.

Following the decision, that security force once again developed the joint initiative to distribute clothing among various social institutions.

With the solidarity initiative carried out in the middle of the Christmas season, GNR intends to help the contemplated institutions to meet the needs felt in supporting the users.

Major Marco Pina also said that the gesture is "more important" in an area of ??the country that is "characterized by low temperatures”.

According to the public relations officer of the Guard Territorial Command, GNR handed over "a total of 3,500 garments this year to 22 local private charities".

The solidarity gesture included the SOS Village, the Diocesan Caritas, the Póvoa do Mileu Social Centre, the Guarda Prison, the Common Link Association (Seia), the Chãs Parish Social Centre (Vila Nova de Foz Côa), Obra Nossa Senhora das Candeias (Pinhel), AFACIDASE - Association of Family and Friends of the Citizen with Difficulties in Adapting Serra da Estrela (Manteigas), Aguiar da Beira and Mêda Social Shops, Sister Wilson's Friends Association ( Trancoso), the church of Fornos de Algodres, the Parish and Social Centre of Dornelas (Aguiar da Beira) and the ABPG - Popular Charity Association of Gouveia.

Rosa Caramelo, secretary of the board of the Póvoa do Mileu Social Centre, in the city of Guarda, told Lusa news agency that the institution, which helps disadvantaged families, has received GNR support for the first time.

"With this offer we will help families who live in Póvoa do Mileu who are struggling and are in fact in need," she said.

Caritas Diocesana is once again covered with articles of clothing and footwear, considering its president, Manuel Portugal, as "a good help".

The official told Lusa that the GNR offer will be aimed at "helping local families as well as foreign (migrant) families".

Caritas Diocesana social worker Cátia Lopes explained that the institution supports "more than 100 migrants per month".

"They arrive and are not prepared for the cold, and we must provide them with the warm clothing to cope with the low temperatures," she said.

Ana Fernandes, executive director of the Parish and Social Centre of Dornelas (Aguiar da Beira), which supports elderly, disabled and socially vulnerable people, also appreciated the fact that GNR contemplated the institution with clothing and footwear. It happened for the first time.

"These pieces are very useful, because we often have people who come [to the institution] without clothes," she said.