Annual ‘Gran Recapte’ food drive raises over €3 million in donations

The annual ‘Gran Recapte’ food drive has exceeded €3 million in donations to buy food products for people most in need. 

The food bank confirmed that over €3 million was collected, “which would represent 45% of what was achieved in 2019,” and that food purchases have already begun. 

Financial contributions can be made online until December 16th. 

Coronavirus measures

This year's ‘Gran Recapte’ has had to adapt to the Covid-19 pandemic, meaning it wasn’t possible for volunteers to collect groceries in markets, supermarkets, and shops like normal. 

People were also able to help out through donation boxes in supermarkets, the food bank’s web page, transferring money via Bizum using the code 33596, and buying €3 tickets in markets and local shops throughout Catalonia. 

These vouchers will be given to social entities who will distribute them for people to purchase fresh products such as meat, fish or eggs. 

The ‘Gran Recapte’ 2020 has had nearly 3,500 participating establishments - one-third of which being local businesses - and more than 6,800 volunteers. 

The director of the Barcelona food bank, Lluís Fatjó-Vilas, says that the Covid-19 pandemic had increased food demand by 40% compared to 2019.