More than 40,000 volunteers and over 2,000 stores will be working to collect food donations on 25 and 26 May with the aim of supporting the 400,000 people in Portugal who rely on food banks.

Donations can be made over the weekend at participating supermarkets.

According to Isabel Jonet, President of the Portuguese Federation of Food Banks against Hunger: “Unfortunately there are many families still affected by food shortages that are sometimes very serious, which requires our attention and a response from all civil society.

“We cannot remain indifferent to a reality that is very close to us all, even if sometimes we cannot see it ourselves and that is the reason why we appeal once again for the involvement and contribution of every citizen.”

Banco Alimentar began its activity in 1991 in Lisbon, and the model was replicated by groups of volunteers in 21 areas of Portugal (Abrantes, Algarve, Aveiro, Beja, Braga, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Cova da Beira, Évora, Leiria -Fátima, Lisbon, Madeira, Oeste, Portalegre, Porto, S. Miguel, Santarém, Setúbal, Terceira, Viana do Castelo, Viseu). The Portuguese Federation of Food Banks encourages the network and represents the 21 Food Banks nationally and internationally.

This network covers 2,400 social institutions, which support more than 400,000 people with proven needs.

For further information about the Portuguese Food Bank, please visit www.bancoalimentar.pt