Last spring was unique. We all spent it at home because of the lockdown, to contain the spread of the coronavirus. In those days, it was said, Italy manifested its nature. Actions of solidarity, good neighbourliness, voluntary work brought a smile and sustenance to the most fragile people and families, making them feel less lonely. An almost-positive climate, despite the pandemic. In those months, however, there were fears that, with the "free all", this climate would be dispersed to return to indifferent normality.
For this reason, today, we want to remember the air that was breathed in those spring days, in the cities with their deserted streets. Let us think back to the commitment of ADRA’s volunteers in a place in Sicily.
After having taken note of the cases of food shortages in families that were already precarious - peddlers, caretakers, maids, car parkers, etc.. - Massimiliano Giammuso, the mayor of the Municipality of Gravina di Catania, together with his council, decided to intervene immediately with the population of his town. He called on the various local Caritasand voluntary associations to meet the immediate needs of the people. Among the bodies and associations called there was ADRA Italia, based in Catania (S.A.Li Battiati), which immediately took action to participate in the rescue. With the important financial contribution of the municipality itself, and other funding received from the national ADRA, it was possible to buy and deliver basic necessities to 42 families, several times during the month of April and May. “Local shopkeepers and supermarkets also participated with solidarity trolleys, where citizens who wanted to donate put food items to give to those in need”. This is how the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) describes the solidarity interventions on its website.
Aid was delivered to another 22 families, known by word of mouth, in addition to the 40 families that the local ADRA volunteers normally continue to assist with the important contribution of the Food Bank. There were, therefore, 104 families helped. These are not numbers, but people in need of a helping hand.
"Normally, the families come to pick up the food package," says the Adventist humanitarian agency of Catania, "but at that time, since it [was] forbidden to move from their municipality, all deliveries were made at home. The commitment of the volunteers was therefore indispensable. The normal volunteers were joined by seven people who, not being able to work, gave their willingness to deliver the packages."
Solidarity was also a strong point in this city. "Some citizens brought food to donate, others donated money to buy food and basic necessities. In this particular historical period that we have lived through, we have perceived that, in times of need, people want to help, collaborate, contribute in every possible way," ADRA added.
With the arrival of the shopping vouchers distributed by the municipalities, everyday life has improved for citizens who met the criteria for allocation. But not for everyone, "so we helped where we thought it was necessary. The lay-off fund was late in arriving and several families, until then self-sufficient, began to drown," continued the agency, concluding, "At the end of the period, we are finding ourselves with a few more families than in the previous period, because several workers are waiting to return to work, and with new friends who have met ADRA Italia and its volunteers."
To learn more about ADRA Italia and its interventions visit the website: adraitalia.org
The original article was published here.
