A large bazaar where the poor take what they need and the Christmas lunch prepared by the restaurants brought home to the most unfortunate (340 this year, triple in the past). With the pandemic, solidarity in Cuneo also changes, adapts, does not give up. For a few weeks the gymnasium of the parish of the Immaculate Heart of Cuneo, “impracticable” due to various Dpcm, has been transformed into a warehouse where, until 31 December, those in need take and take home, especially clothes, but also dishes and linen, toys. And it does so without paying anything. Only for new items there is a symbolic offer: 1 or 2 euros.
The parish’s traditional “San Martino stall” has been expanded and modified: it opens only by reservation and with controlled access three times a week, to comply with anti-Covid regulations. A choice made by the parish and Caritas because even the traditional forms of aid to the poor have been canceled by the pandemic. Suffice it to say that the Caritas and San Vincenzo clothing center in the historic center has been closed since February.
But during the weeks of the lockdown, families continued to donate massively: clothes, shoes, blankets that remained boxed for months.
Don Carlo Occelli, parish priest of the Immaculate Heart: “There was a lot of winter clothing withdrawn since the spring lockdown and the space of the bazaar traditionally open every Monday was unmanageable due to health regulations and the many things donated”. Volunteers are checking the influx of those who book (at 3407459808).
But it will be a supportive Christmas out of the ordinary even for the usual pre-Christmas lunch offered to the poorest of Cuneo. In the past, the San Giovanni room was chosen for this party with about a hundred people, especially families with children who were also given a toy and a panettone. But with Covid it would have been a rally. So this year all the service and culture associations have agreed: the Rotary Clubs, Lions, Soroptimist, Zonta and “L Caprissi” have raised a few thousand euros for a home cooked meal from the best restaurants in the city. It will happen on Wednesday. It is also a way to send a signal of proximity to one of the sectors most affected by anti-Covid restrictions, such as catering. Caritas and San Vincenzo have indicated the people who this year will receive the Christmas meal directly in delivery mode: 340 in all. The largest number ever reached in the city.
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