Food banks, donations and vouchers

One of the silver linings of the lockdown experience is witnessing the amount of charitable energy people have displayed. A number of initiatives are being rapidly implemented to ensure that those struggling to put food on their tables will be able to do so. Here are the food donation points around Florence and what you can do to help. 

At the supermarket

All Unicoop Firenze supermarkets now contain a "Spesa sospesa" point with the intention of raising funds to offer food to those going without and for those most vulnerable during this health and economic crisis. Until April 30, shoppers can donate 1 euro or 100 membership card points as they pay for their groceries, which the Fondazione Il Cuore si scioglie will double. The funds raised will purchase food packages that will be distributed by voluntary associations to those most in need. This is not the first initiative of its kind by Unicoop Firenze and the Il Cuore Foundation, which recently donated 300,000 euro in vouchers to associations assisting those in poverty. The supermarket chain has also pledged to freeze prices until May 31 to ensure stability in the cost of products. 

You can also pledge your supermarket points at Esselunga. Donating 500 Punti Fìdaty points means a five euro direct donation to Italy's hospitals and research institutions. 

Conad is offering an additional 10 per cent discount on groceries purchased using the food vouchers provided to families in need by Italy's municipalities.

Food vouchers

Those in severe economic difficulty caused by the coronavirus emergency can to apply for food vouchers. The application can only be submitted online on the Comune's website. The vouchers will be worth 10 euro each and can be used in supermarkets and affiliated shops. The minimum value is 150 euro for single-parent families up to about 500 euro for larger households. For more information, call 055 3282200 or freephone 800 508286 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. Alternatively, email [email protected]

Street collection points

A number of street collection points have sprung up across the city. One such point is on via Barbadori, near piazza della Passera, which is collecting toiletries, soap and toilet paper for anyone to take or give. 

Charitable foundations

The Florentine charity has a number of initiatives to help out during these difficult times. As part of the Firenze per Firenze campaign, the funds raised to support those unable to pay for basic necessities will be tripled by the Fondazione CR Firenze. The goal is to collect 50,000 euro, which will be used for the purchase of food packages distributed to homes, as well as for materials such as face protection and gloves for volunteers. 

An app that's adapted

Food banks

The voluntary-run food bank Banco Alimentare della Toscana Onlus is collecting food surpluses and getting them to those in need. Active 365 days of the year, the charity's services are more in need now than ever. Click here to donate. 

You can find a map of the food donation points here.