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
Built with Mobirise - Click here