Humanitarian actions against hunger

Text Box: Back to main English page Humanitarian actions against hunger At least 10% of the Serbian population lives below the poverty line, and an overall 20% barely survive in poverty and do not know when they will have a meal, what it is to be properly fed. Hunger mostly affects children, the elderly and invalids. These are people whom we meet every day, our neighbours, co-citizens, our children’s friends …. We organise and do our best to fight poverty and help the most destitute recover dignity. Whom do we help? Categories of beneficiaries: Homes and institutions for children and youngsters (without parental care) Homes and institutions for elderly and pensioners Collective centers for internally displaced persons Shelters and centers for family accommodation Soup kitchens Institutions for mentally challenged persons Institutions for physically challenged persons and invalids First action report : Food distribution for Easter 2007 On Wednesday, April 4th 2007, BANKA HRANE – Beograd distributed a first donation in food and drinks products to the Special Home for Children and Youth “Dr Nikola Sumenkovic” in Stamnica. Donation for the Home was provided through the Easter Action of collecting and distributing goods, and contained 5100 litres of juice, soda and mineral water donated by Coca Cola HBC- Serbia A.D., 1400 kilograms of products from donator Soko Stark Belgrade, 240 of marmalade from Si&Si group, 2900 litres from donator Sinalco Serbia d.o.o. The Special Home for Children and Youth “Dr Nikola Sumenkovic“ is located 140 kilometres from Belgrade and shelters 465 physically and mentally challenged persons. The donation contributed to the inhabitants of the Home spending the Easter holidays better since the donated items brought variety into their meals and let them know that their fellow citizens care about them. Also, within the Easter Action, 2300 litres of juices and mineral water from Coca Cola HBC Serbia A.D. , 350 kg of dried beans purchased by pharmaceutical company bioMérieux, have been donated to the Community Kitchen in Smederevo. This institution provides daily for 700 users, out of which a large amount of internally displaced persons and Roma people. The Easter Action of collecting and distributing food products is the first action of BANKA HRANE – Beograd, non-profit, non-governmental organisation founded in September 2006. In cooperation with the European Federation of Food Banks (FEBA), BANKA HRANE – Beograd operates according to the already existing and proven concept, successfully implemented throughout Europe more than two decades ago . Its aim is to take part in fighting against hunger, that more than 20% of Serbian citizens is suffering from, through collecting and distributing food products. In the process of collecting food, BANKA HRANE – Beograd cooperates with various donors (from the agriculture, industry, wholesale, retail …) which can donate their products, surpluses, or buy food for donation, in case they don’t produce it. In the near future, BANKA HRANE – Beograd will continue with collecting goods for the Community Kitchen in Smederevo, as well as for other institutions dealing with underprivileged citizens. In May 2007, BANKA HRANE – Beograd will launch an action to collect goods in supermarkets, where numerous citizens will have the opportunity to take part in helping their underprivileged co-citizens. The association is also struggling to gather the financial means to fund its everyday operations, in order to sustain and expand its activities. BANKA HRANE – Beograd is thankful to donors who took part in this first action, hoping to continue the cooperation with them. The association also invites other companies to join and contribute to the responsible mission of fighting against hunger, and show that they care for the community in which they are running successful businesses. Sopnsors & donors BANKA HRANE – Beograd gratefully thanks its sponsors and donors, which list can be found here. Sponsors support the food bank’s operations, financially, by providing equipments and/or services. Donors donate food items of their own production (possibly but not exclusively surpluses), stocks (wholesale and retail companies), or which they purchase for donation, in the case they are not involved in food production or distribution, or are individuals of good-will. Ways to contribute to the activities and expansion of BANKA HRANE – Beograd can be found here.