Helping others
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n a place renowned for its fine food, it is heartbreaking to know that so many go without. Thankfully, there are a number of local groups dedicated to balancing the scales.
The recently opened Help Center di Firenze on via Valfonda, near Santa Maria Novella station, focuses on assisting the homeless. Not only providing a hot meal and a place to sleep at night, they also work tirelessly to aid individuals with their reintegration into society. The idea at the root of the Help Center is to change the vision of the station from that of temporary shelter to a place that can change someone’s life for the better. Alongside volunteer associations, Italian language courses, IT and even job-training courses help those in need, regardless of age, ethnicity or religion.
Banco Alimentare Foundation ONLUS co-ordinates the Food Bank Network, a group that collects the excess from restaurants and supermarkets before the enormous amounts are sent to disposal units at the end of the day. The Banco Alimentare gets there first and brings food to those without. Have a look at www.collettaalimentare.it for details about their National Food Collection Days and how to take part.
The Misericordia operates two food help centres in Florence, along with a central collection point in via del Sansovino and a home delivery service for the housebound. Located in via Francavilla and via di Rocca Tedalda, the Misericordia runs the free service to those in need. See theflr.net/foodbank for how to help.
Made a promise to do more charity in 2020? Volunteers and food donations are always needed. /
