The number of families in difficulty is increasing but, thanks to the generosity of many people, the “Le twelve baskets” solidarity emporium can offer concrete help. “There are around seventy Agliano families, constantly increasing, currently followed by our listening center and who find themselves in temporary economic difficulty – reports Elisa Puggelli, contact person for the “Don Tonino Bello” listening center of the parish of San Piero -. Some users from previous years are no longer there, but new families are always arriving: about ten since September”. In support of the Emporium, with the recent collection day, promoted by the Coop members section of Agliana, in collaboration with the volunteers of the parish Caritas of San Piero, the Confraternita di Misericordia and the Portaperta Association, more than 18 quintals were collected of long-term food products, as well as household cleaning, baby and personal hygiene products. Everything stored in the warehouse for the solidarity emporium “The twelve baskets”, to satisfy the numerous requests of families from Agliano, made up of Italian and foreign citizens. “At the Emporio – explains Puggelli -, users can independently choose food products, personal and home care products, school supplies for their children. A social emergency, the new poverty, which too often remains under the radar but which must shake our consciences. And it’s not just economic needs, there is also a lot of loneliness. Many families or individuals – he concludes – come to the Center to find listening, hospitality, accompaniment to services”.
The governor of the Misericordia, Franco Benesperi, recalls: “The Solidarity Emporium project was born more than two years ago, as part of the broader path of the ‘Houses of us’ promoted by the National Confederation of Misericordie d’Italia. The aim is to be a concrete help to families or individuals residing in our municipality who are in difficulty. There are two purposes: to safeguard the dignity of the person, trying to make the experience of the Emporium more similar to that of doing business. shopping in a shop, and countering the food emergency of the most vulnerable and the increase in the new poor. A project appreciated by the population, the spirit of solidarity has not disappeared, because many respond to our appeals”. The Emporium is in the historic headquarters of the Misericordia (via Matteotti), next to the Listening Center and is open on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 4pm to 7pm.
Piera Salvi
