Many people have had no employment for several months and those who managed to find some work during the shortened summer season have few savings to last through the winter. So that we can continue to buy fresh meat, fish, vegetables and fruit to give hungry families we are always looking at ways of raising funds.

Our latest venture is an online auction on our Facebook group – “Charity Auction Christmas Bake Off” where we will have wonderful home-made cakes, preserves, hampers and other Christmas goodies that have been kindly donated by many domestic goddesses who support our charitable work. Wonderland Tea Rooms in Ferragudo, Algarve Cakes in Lagos and Between the Lines in Tunes are donating baked goods and the following businesses have donated vouchers, Coco Jolu Bar in Guia and Al-Gharb Coffee Roasters in Albufeira, which we will also be auctioning. It starts on Saturday, 29 November and ends on Sunday, 5 December, a must if you are looking for delicious Christmas presents or just a delicious indulgence for yourself.

Apart from our Facebook Auction there are several ways in which you can help us right now to support needy families and individuals: There are regular food collection points near Burger Ranch, fast food outlet, in Silves (near the Piscina) every Monday 11.30 – 12.30pm and at Between The Lines Restaurant/Bar, Tunes, 11.30 - 12.30 every Friday. We also have a food donation box in Loja Candeias, Rua do Ribeiro, Algoz. A lovely new supermarket that opened on 2 November.

We have collection tins in Iceland Overseas Supermarket in Guia, Pastelaria/Café Requinte e Tentações in Algoz, Calibri café 1 in Guia and Calibri café 2 in Galé, The Football café/restaurant in Guia, Cantinho do João in Guia, Café Doce K Doce in Vale Parra, Arcadia Bar in Vale Parra, Tapas 13 Sports Bar in Messines, Between the Lines Restaurant in Tunes, K’Delicia in Tunes, Jaffers Supermarket (Butcher’s Counter) in Tunes and Al-Gharb Coffee Roasters in Albufeira.

We would like to thank all these businesses who are supporting us by raising funds and in particular shoppers and staff in Iceland, Overseas Supermarket, Guia who so far have raised over €1,000.

Collections of food and other items, including Christmas presents for needy children, can be brought to Pão de Aldeia Café, Guia, near Iceland, Overseas Supermarket from 11am – 12noon on the 15th and the last day of each month.

Donations can also be sent to: Associação Guarda-Chuva, Crédito Agricola Bank, IBAN: PT50 0045 7011 4031 6715 4683 8.

Algarve Emporium have a charity section selling a variety of items and 100% of proceeds go to charity. https://algarveemporium.com/collections/sold-for-charity