2016 National Food Collection Day

8,500 tons of donated food products. Thank you!

On 26 November during the 20th National Food Collection Day 145,000 volunteers collected 8,500 tons of donated food products which are going to be redistributed to over 8,100 affiliated charitable organizations with Banco Alimentare to support 1.5 million people in need.

The Food Collection was also held in 24 prisons and many prisoners dedicated their probation helping in supermarkets and warehouses; families of earthquake victims and displaced persons either did the shopping or formed groups of volunteers and gave their contribution in the supermarkets of the cities which are temporarily hosting them. A volunteer sent us this text message, who lost her house in Tolentino: "So what’s here that is different from last year? Maybe I’m coming back in a camper... but losing the house is not the biggest problem. I realize that now the great need inside me has been shaken by reality and urged by the concrete gesture of the Food Collection, has been requested by the gesture of Colletta, feeling a deep emotion".

"Today – President Giussani continues – we have seen how the desire to 'do some good' shatters every wall also among people of different ethnic groups and religions, desiring to support people in need. It has been the opportunity to educate ourselves to making every initiative of welcome and meeting with people normal and daily, and to coming to terms with our humanity desire".

"We can humbly say – Giussani adds – that the generosity of volunteers and donors during this XXth edition of the Food Collection has become more mature and has transformed itself into a new model of coexistence".

"For a long time Pope Francis has been reminding us this matter – Giussani explains. And three days ago President Sergio Mattarella received us in private audience. In his words he stressed the strength of this public and visible gesture that gives hope to citizens who are often unaware of the good and face many only faced with negative messages. He also added that he considers Banco Alimentare as one of the most beautiful pages in the history of our country".

"I thank – Giussani concludes – each donor and each volunteer, who are fellows in this fascinating encounter. I am also grateful for all the associations, companies and institutions which are supporting the Food Collection with people, equipment and intelligence. I am sure that we will share with them also the coming years and reach even greatest results".

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