Cape Verde Food Bank Opens New Warehouse in Praia
The Food Bank of Cape Verde has secured a dedicated warehouse in the capital city of Praia, marking the end of a decade-long struggle for space and clearing the way for a massive expansion of aid to vulnerable families.
A Decade of ‘Atrocious Suffering’ Ends
For ten years, the Donana Foundation, which manages the food bank, operated out of improvised and cramped spaces. The lack of storage was so severe that the organization was frequently forced to turn down large-scale donations.
“It is an important milestone in strengthening our social response to the food and material needs of vulnerable families,” Ana Hopffer Almada, president of the Donana Foundation, told Lusa. “We spent ten years of atrocious suffering because we didn’t have space; we were always in distress.”
The new facility, provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, will allow the organization to streamline its operations and provide more consistent monthly support to approximately 300 families on Santiago Island. “The response will be more organized and effective in addressing identified needs,” Almada added.
International Support and Digital Integration
The warehouse’s operations are launching with the arrival of a major shipment from Portugal. The Portuguese Federation of Food Banks donated a container filled with equipment, essential goods, and food, with shipping costs covered by the ETE Group. The shipment was made possible by 1.6 million escudos (€14,500) raised through an online campaign.
In a significant digital shift, the Cape Verdean Food Bank is now integrated into the Portuguese donation platform “Alimente Esta Ideia” (alimentestaideia.pt). This allows donors from anywhere in the world to select Cape Verde as a recipient for remote contributions.
Reaching Thousands Across the Islands
The immediate impact of the new facility and the incoming container will be felt by 20 associations within the Donana Foundation network. This aid is expected to benefit roughly 400 families, reaching an estimated 2,400 people.
The foundation’s reach is also extending beyond the capital. Similar relief efforts have recently been dispatched to Fogo Island to support 10 associations and 1,200 people. This includes specialized support for families affected by the tragic road accident on September 5, which claimed the lives of 25 people, the majority of whom were young students.
Image: Pexels – Julia M Cameron
