The Food Bank’s national collection campaign is staged twice a year, just before Easter and Christmas, to help impoverished families through what should be times of celebration.
Last weekend’s drive was the 50th to be held in Portugal and was substantially more productive than May when 200 fewer tonnes were collected.
Last weekend’s result was also down about 100 tonnes on last November’s total.
Isabel Jonet, president of the Food Bank, said “the thousands of kilos of donated foods and the number of volunteers involved show that people have once again responded to our appeal by sharing with families who don’t have bread on their tables.
“Despite the great difficulties that many families are still going through, many are those who refuse to submit and are willing to share and help minimise the struggles of their fellow citizens.”
The foods collected will now be distributed to 2,700 different institutions covering more than 420,000 people living below the breadline.
Last weekend’s campaign was conducted with the help of 42,000 volunteers at 2,000 supermarkets across the country and on the islands.
Along with staple ingredients such as milk, rice, olive oil, pasta, tinned foods and cereals in their campaign, other foods characteristic of Christmas in Portugal, such as cod fish, chouriço sausage and chocolates were also donated “in a clear show of giving.”
The first Food Bank in Portugal was established 25 years ago, in 1991, and it currently comprises 21 branches throughout the country.
Readers still wanting to make a donation can do so online, until 11 December, via www.alimentestaideia.pt.