Caritas against shameful poverty

The Portuguese branch of the Catholic charity “Cáritas” will create a new way to help families in need, through a vouchers system which can be used in restaurants and supermarkets. The measure hopes to provide help to people who have “the greatest obstacles to overcome to get out of the situation they find themselves in” and who are increasing in numbers. “With this system, these people can eat in a restaurant or shop in the supermarket, without being labeled or being subjected to social discrimination simply because they need help”, Eugénio Fonseca, president of Cáritas, explained to journalists. The campaign will start in the next few days, the result of an agreement between Cáritas and “Ticket Restaurant Portugal”. Citizens who would like to help, can donate money to buy vouchers with a value of between five and 15 euros, which will then be given to needy families with financial problems. The project also seeks to help parents cover expenses for the crèches their children attend. The campaign will rely solely on contributions inside Portugal, says Fonseca. According to a study by Cáritas, which will be divulged by the end of the year, so far they know there are more than three thousand homes where families go hungry in Portugal. There are two million Portuguese at risk of living in poverty. It’s estimated that each of those people live on a maximum of 360 euros a month.