The campaign, which was presented at the HQ of the Fundació Banc dels Aliments this Thursday lunchtime, is led by the Fundació FC Barcelona for the Fundació Banc dels Aliments with the collaboration of the Catalan government - la Generalitat de Catalunya. The campaign also has the support of Pastas Gallo, Arròs Montsià, Oli Borges, Sorli Discau and Llet Nostra, as well as the support of the The Love Comes Foundation.

Solidarity from “first class” institutions

During the presentation, Club President Sandro Rosell underlined the importance of the campaign: “we are helping people here at home, whilst not forgetting the international dimension of our Club”. The President called the campaign “fantastic” and went on to explain: “we are very happy to be involved in a project alongside such good company”.

The Catalan President Artur Mas also stressed the exceptional nature of the campaign, which aims to collect as much basic foodstuffs as possible to help those most in need in the country, whilst drawing attention to the plight of the people close to home who are suffering from hunger: “between us, we have to help them and this campaign is a good way to channel this country’s solidarity”.

The organisations involved in the campaign also received praise from Sr. Mas, who declared: “we have brought together a first class organisation - the Banc dels Aliments- a first class club and a first class country”.

Sweepstake

Everybody who takes part in the campaign, either by personally bringing in foodstuffs or donating online, can take part in a sweepstake on the result of the Barça-Real Madrid final of the Spanish Cup. During the presentation, Sr Rosell made his own prediction: “I bet that we will win 5-0!”, whilst the Catalan President didn’t go for a result, but reckoned: “we’ll win by four goals –like the four stripes on our Catalan flag” and Antoni Sansalvadó went for a closer margin: “Barça to win 3-1”.

Concern for local problems

The campaign arose out of the Fundació FC Barcelona’s concern for problems which directly affect Catalan society. There are currently 1.325.000 people living below the poverty line in Catalonia and the Banc dels Aliments de Catalunya helped 52.000 families in 2008, 90.000 in 2009 and 165.000 in 2010 – a figure which continues to grow and underlines the need to support the Banc’s efforts to enable it to continue its important social work.

Collection Channels

Anybody can participate in the collection of foodstuffs, either in person or via the campaign’s official website www.enviemlafamalaporra.org , which is available in English.

During the month of April, you may donate in person at the following sporting events:

- Saturday 2 April, Regal FCB - Biscaia. Palau Blaugrana, 18.00.
- Saturday 9 April, USAP - Toulon. Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, 16.30.
- Saturday or Sunday 9/10 April, FCB – Almeria. Camp Nou.

Foodstuffs will be collected on the day of the games at the entrances to the Palau Blaugrana, Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys and Camp Nou.

Donations via the website can be made and Sorli Discau, who are collaborating with the campaign, will then deliver the foodstuffs to the Fundació Banc dels Aliments.

Schools, supporters clubs and companies involved

As well as Barça members and fans, 15 schools from all over Catalonia are also participating in the campaign, as well as the five company sponsors -Arròs Montsià, Pastas Gallo, Llet Nostra, Grup Borges and Sorli Discau.