Volunteers preparing food bags
Mallorca Without Hunger is a non-profit association born in 2009 as a response to the poverty caused by the financial crisis. Run by volunteers, and supported by donations from the Spanish and European food banks*, local businesses, supermarkets, associations and private individuals, the activity is centred in a big warehouse in Son Espanyolet in Palma. Every Tuesday volunteers receive the donated or purchased food, fruit and vegetables, and place it all on the shelves ready for the next group of volunteers to prepare the bags that will be handed out on Wednesday to those families with an appointment. Depending on the size of the family, they receive a bag of 20-40 kg of basic foodstuffs and toiletries once a month.
*FEGA = Spanish Agrarian Guarantee Fund, and
FEAD = Fund for the European Aid to the Most Deprived
Based on commitment, participation and sharing, Mallorca Sense Fam provides food for the hungry with an effective, transparent and collaborative organisation.
In a world of scarcity, Mallorca Sense Fam makes the resources go an extra mile by being well organised and economical. Nothing is wasted. If any of the fresh food donated by the supermarkets or farms is not good for human consumption, it may be given to animals. When not suitable for animals, it will go to compost.
Everything is accounted for, and the organisation runs like clockwork. The diligent collection of data helps MSF to form an understanding of the beneficiary groups, who are at risk and what is needed. It is also a tool for planning better for the future and providing accurate information for the authorities and for the public.
The attached chart shows the number of families per year (in blue) that have received help from Mallorca Sense Fam from 2010 to 2021. As the size of the families varies from 1 to 10 members, the total number of beneficiaries is shown in orange. The grey pillar illustrates the number of food bags per year. The marked increase in the amount of food distributed during 2020-21 relates to the Covid pandemic - most of the beneficiaries have needed to come for food all year round rather than just in the low season as in the previous years when tourism has provided jobs and income during the high season.
Like the rest of the Mallorquins, the yachting community has embraced the cause and is helping in numerous ways, from fundraising to food collections and donations of clothing, household items and other articles to be sold in the "Solidarity Boutique" in conjunction with the MSF warehouse.
Remember another important way you can help - shop in the Solidarity Boutique! Full of quirky finds, retro fashion, books, jewellery and Mallorcan handicrafts made by the volunteering "abuelas". What you find here you will not find on the high street or shopping centres and definitely not for the same prices.
C. Avinyo 12, Son Espanyolet
Open 10.00 - 13.00 Mon-Fri
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