The Prefecture of Caxias do Sul delivered this Saturday morning (24/12) around 630 Christmas dinners to families in situations of social vulnerability served by Restaurante Popular. Deliveries included the neighborhoods Campos da Serra, Canyon, Charqueadas, Esplanada and Reolon, in addition to 10 associations of recyclers and the União das Associações de Neighborhoods (UAB), where homeless residents could have lunch.
The delivery of suppers is the result of a joint effort between the Board of Food and Nutrition Security of the Municipal Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (SMAPA) and the Mão Amiga project.
Photo by: Rodrigo Rossi /PMCS
Photo by: Rodrigo Rossi /PMCS
the secretary Rudimar Menegotto accompanied the deliveries. “This action brings a lot of dignity to people who are in a situation of social difficulty. It is the result of the effort of many hands, of many volunteers, which brings hope and dignity to people who need it most, who would hardly be able to have a supper and celebrate the spirit of Christmas”, he highlights.
Cristina Fabian Gregoletto, director of Food and Nutrition Security at SMPA, believes that the benefits go beyond food. “We are donating Christmas dinners for the fourth year in a row and the action increases every year. It’s not just about the food on the table, but about the whole affective issue that Christmas provides”, she proposes.
President of the Mão Amiga Association, the frei Jaime Bettega credits the success of the action to the collective work of the volunteers. “This action fills us with joy and we are very grateful to the government for investing and believing in this ideal, reducing the hunger of children, the elderly and entire families.
We need to thank the City Hall of Caxias do Sul and the volunteers and partners, because it is thanks to them that we are delivering these suppers made with a lot of love and with everything that the very name of the Christmas dinner implies”, he emphasizes.
Daiane Dornelles, a resident of Campos da Serra, was the first to receive supper this morning. “Many people are unable to have a supper, as they have other priorities, such as bills to pay. Me and my two children will have this supper thanks to the work that Restaurante Popular delivers, which is so important, not only for me, but for all the families that are helped”, she opines. Luiz Cesar de Camargo, also from Campos da Serra, was accompanied by his wife and granddaughter. “I think it is a very important action, having this food. On Christmas Eve we will have six people at the table and, thank God, we have this supper”.
Sebastião Daniel, president of the União dos Collectors Legal Association, received suppers at the institution’s headquarters, in Bairro Reolon. “This action will make a lot of difference for the community, because everyone who works with us on a daily basis has difficulties, they have children to feed. These suppers will make a difference this Christmas. Around 40 people will have a much better end of the year”, he believes.
Each supper delivered had a roasted bird, fruit, Greek style rice, farofa, bonbons, panettone, grape juice, soft drinks and cookies. The Military Fire Department also participated in the delivery, with candies and sweets for the children.
The action is in partnership with JBS, Prógas, Farmácia Rio Branco, Vinícola Aliança, Marcopolo Foundation, Vantajão Supermarkets, the Bem Viver Program of the Caxias do Sul City Hall and Elisabetha Randon Institute, and support and donations from volunteers Roque Gregoletto, Ligia Castro and Helen Rodrigues.
