Around 300 volunteers from REFOOD's 70 branches in Portugal gathered in Viseu on Saturday, September 12, for the organization's 10th National Meeting, which simultaneously celebrates 15 years of REFOOD in Portugal and five years of activity of the Viseu branch. The event takes place at Escola Secundária Alves Martins and includes a program of experience sharing, reflections on future challenges and social activities among participants.
The REFOOD Viseu Branch was created in March 2021, during the second lockdown caused by the covid-19 pandemic, and currently has around 175 volunteers and 60 partners, regularly supporting around 350 beneficiaries. Over the five years of activity, the branch has developed its intervention through the collection of food surpluses and their redistribution to the population in vulnerable situations.
The closing session takes place at Mercado 2 de Maio, with interventions from the bishop of Viseu, D. António Luciano, the coordinator of the REFOOD Viseu Branch, Claudia Columbano, the president of REFOOD, Hunter Halder, and the councilor for Social Action of the Viseu City Council, Marta Rodrigues. The program also includes a commemorative cake for the anniversaries, performance by the Senior Activity Group of the Parish of Viseu and musical entertainment.
The initiative has the support of the Municipality of Viseu, the Parish Council of Viseu, and Escola Secundária Alves Martins, among other local institutions. On Sunday, September 13, an optional activity is planned with a guided tour of the Museu Nacional Grão Vasco and the exhibition by Lourdes Castro.
