(ANS - Azkoitia) – More than 9,200 kg of food has been collected in the city of Azkoitia alone. It is the result of a campaign on behalf of the Food Bank to help a project for street children in Porto Novo, Benin. The campaign was promoted by the Provincial Youth Ministry Delegation and by two Salesian NGOs Jóvenes y Desarrollo andCooperación Salesian y Tercer Mundo. Since mid-November it has involved all the Salesian houses in the Province of Bilbao. The overall figures are still being worked out.

Rice, lentils, beans, pasta and other non-perishable food were collected in the Salesian institute in the city and in various other shops and supermarkets. The people's response has been very generous.

One of the project leaders has said: "We want to thank the volunteers for their support, in particular the youth group Solidarietà di Floreaga, the Patri family and the business companies Patri Cartonajes Eibar and Urolako Industrialdea, S.A. (in cooperation with in the Basque Agency for Entrepreneurial Development).”

On December 26, food and other goods such as school supplies, bicycles and t-shirts which had been collected at Azkoitia, were transferred by truck to Pamplona where they were added to those collected in other cities of the Province. From there they were taken by ship to Benin.

Published 15/01/2013