This is the work of Banco Alimentar, a foodbank providing much needed supplies to low-income households. Customers are asked to take a bag as they enter the supermarkets, fill it with staple items and donate to the charity. Banco Alimentar work with a wide range of supermarkets to ensure they receive as many donations as possible.

Michael Ferrada, co-ordinator at Almancil, explained: “All donations are sorted into food packages that are passed on to families from Banco Alimentar’s warehouses in Portimão and Faro. For those families that do not have transport, the food supplies will be delivered to them”. Families selected for support by the charity undertake a strict screening process in order to qualify.

With supermarket collections mainly around Easter and Christmas, Banco Alimentar’s work continues throughout the year, supporting ASCA (Social and Cultural Association of Almancil), building relationships with local elderly residents who also rely on food donations, and working within schools to highlight the issues of poverty in the local area, teaching children the importance of charitable involvement, aiming to tackle issues of equality moving forward.

Banco Alimentar needs Portuguese- speaking volunteers to help with distributing food to the families. And, as many volunteers as possible are needed to take on a shift hand out bags in supermarkets – the more food that is collected, the more families can be supported.

Primarily, the charity hopes for more interaction, between and among communities, to raise awareness of the issues facing families and the elderly.
bancoalimentar.pt