Annual 'Gran Recapte' food drive kicks off as demand increases by 40% due to pandemic
Organizers say 262,000 people in Catalonia are in need of food donations
"For many, our new reality involves an empty fridge."
Catalonia's annual 'Gran Recapte' food drive is now underway, with organizers warning the current need for donated food items far exceeds that seen in the past.
Attributing this notable increase to the pandemic and its negative effects on the economy, 262,000 people – 40% more this year than last – require assistance from food banks.
Lluís Fatjó-Vilàs, who is behind the drive in Barcelona, explained on Friday that over 4.5 million kilos of goods will be needed to cover this year's demand.
"This is very challenging," he said. "We need everyone that can help to do so."
Online campaign
And unlike other years in the past, where around 30,000 'Gran Recapte' volunteers could be seen collecting donated non-perishable goods at supermarkets throughout Catalonia, this time around the food bank will only be deploying some 4,000 people as most of the campaign will be carried out online for health and safety reasons.
Those interested in participating can donate money which will then be used towards buying food at www.granrecapteonline.com, by paying for €3 to €50 vouchers at a number of major supermarkets and some smaller stores that can be found here from November 16 to 21, or via Bizum (33596).
There will also be 13 empty fridges with QR codes on them placed throughout the Barcelona metropolitan area to spread awareness.