Fighting hunger: Citizenship Action launches this year’s edition of Natal Sem Fome

Founded by the sociologist Herbert de Souza, known as Betinho, Ação da Cidadania was established in 1993, forming a vast network of national mobilization to help 32 million Brazilians who, according to data from the Institute of Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada  (Ipea), were below the poverty line.

That same year, he created the largest campaign to combat hunger in the history of Latin America, Natal Sem Fome (Hungerless Christmas), which has already collected 55 thousand tons of food that have been distributed to 26 million people.

However, the reality of hunger is still alarming today. There are currently 125 million people facing food insecurity in Brazil. Ação da Cidadania develops projects that span various fronts, but its main action is the distribution of basic food baskets to people in vulnerable situations.

During the distribution, the donated food reaches unimaginable places, arriving by truck, boat, car, and even on foot, whether in the favelas, indigenous communities, Quilombo or riverside communities. And it’s worth remembering that these donations bring hope and relief to those who need it most. Ação da Cidadania’s network is now present in every state of the country, plus the Federal District.

Fight against hunger and the focus of the campaign in 2023

Wanessa Andrade, press officer for Ação da Cidadania, said during the launch of the thirtieth edition of the Christmas Without Hunger Campaign that, in 2023, the focus of the campaign is children, as they are the most affected by food shortages, mainly to those under 10 years of age, according to the Olhe Para a Fome website. 

“We understand that today it is the children who most need food, especially those who live in homes headed by black mothers and single mothers,” she explains. This year’s slogan is: ““o melhor presente nesse Natal é a sua solidariedade” (the best gift this Christmas is your solidarity).

The hunger is not over yet

Daniel de Souza, president of the Board of Ação da Cidadania, speaks about the importance of another Natal Sem Fome campaign.

“The fact is that hunger is more present and stronger than ever, so we have to be even stronger. We have to call on society, all partners, and collect as many baskets as possible, so that at least during Christmas people have something to eat,” he states.

“This is the goal of the campaign, that people have food on their table for Christmas. It is a campaign to mobilize not only people but also consciences, to mobilize the solidarity that exists within each one. As long as there is hunger, the campaign will take place.”

Pepê Carvalho, a circus artist and participant in one of the oldest cultural projects of Ação da Cidadania, is part of a group of 15 artists from different places, many of whom have already gone through social projects within the institution.

“We organize ourselves to be on this journey as part of this event, an annual event that is a milestone for Ação. We come here to strengthen, we always try to be here, and the circus has always been part of this campaign. We are here with our art because Brazil is not only hungry for food but also hungry for art, culture, and education.”

Kiko Afonso, the executive director of Ação da Cidadania, stated that the organization, in the opinion of Daniel Souza himself, should never have existed in a country that has so much food, but unfortunately, its creation was necessary.

And, to conclude, he says that “the 30th Natal Sem Fome brings a symbolism that is to try to draw people’s attention to the fact that hunger still exists, we need to keep society’s focus on the fight against hunger, we cannot admit that there are still people going hungry in Brazil.”

The Natal Sem Fome campaign began on October 15th and will end in december.

Do you want to help fight hunger? See how:

To make a donation visit the campaign websitor click here. It is still possible to donate through the institution’s pix:: doe@natalsemfome.org.br 

The money raised will be used to purchase food to make up the basic food baskets. Trucks are loaded and distribution takes place throughout the country, reaching the beneficiaries through committees formed by members of philanthropic institutions.

Be part of this story, remember that those who are hungry are in a hurry.

For more information click here.

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The institution is located at Rua da Gamboa, 246, Santo Cristo, Central Zone of Rio de Janeiro.