Algarve Diocese runs out of charity money...

and stresses the importance of the street campaign – going ahead on 4th to 7th March, with the objective of (re) collecting money to continue to support the country’s poor, particularly those in the diocese of the Algarve.

“We continue to put our faith in street fund-raising as a way of helping these people”, he explains, lamenting the fact that the Algarve is the second region in the country with the highest level of unemployment – with a “future perspective that is far from auspicious”, due to the closure of the Alisuper chain of supermarkets.

In 2009, Cáritas received 20 per cent more calls for help from poor families than in the year before.

In the last six months alone, more than 1400 people have been given support – the equivalent of more than 400 families.

Meantime, there is another campaign underway to help the victims of the catastrophe in Madeira.

Oliveira says that Cáritas is collecting clothing and furniture, among other items, in a good enough condition to be of use.