Several immigrant associations from Lanzarote have joined forces to organize a food collection aimed at people who are in a situation of “extreme vulnerability” on the island and who do not have access to public aid.
“Having the documentation in order and being registered are mandatory requirements to access social aid, even to receive food from food banks. For not meeting these requirements, many people cannot cover their basic needs. We cannot accept this situation”, they explain in a statement.
For this reason, they point out that they have decided to “take action so that no one goes without eating”, given that the Covid-19 crisis has generated an increase in the number of people in a situation of poverty on the island. In addition, they question that “social services should contemplate these specific situations”, since “while bureaucracy continues on its way, today, on our island, there are people starving”.
This initiative has been promoted by Gente Unida Senegal, Asociación Horizontes, Casa de Todos, Venezolanos Unidos, Asociación Enero, Africa Yeah, Mujeres Senegalesas Mbollo Mooy Dollé, Asociación Para el Desarrollo del Colectivo Mauritano en Lanzarote and Asociación de Francófonos Residentes de Lanzarote. “It is not charity, it is social justice”, they emphasize.
From these groups they explain that they have already carried out a collection and distribution of food, delivering food to 20 homes on July 20 “so that they can feed themselves for a few weeks”. “But there are many more who need it and the other organized groups are also overwhelmed with demands. We cannot do anything alone, united we are stronger”, they point out, appealing to the solidarity of the island's residents and to all groups, associations, food businesses, foundations, businessmen, hoteliers and restaurateurs.
The food collection will take place between Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9, at 19 Salvador Street in the Arrecife neighborhood of Altavista. The hours in which they will collect food will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and donations can also be made through account ES05 2100 6869 0602 0024 8184, of the Venezolanos Unidos Association, indicating in the concept “Food Collection Donation”.
