Follow Spanish immigration and Spanish news: According to reports from Europa Press, there are approximately 46,000 people in need of food assistance in Barcelona, with long queues forming in front of charitable organizations. To avoid disorder and preserve the dignity of those receiving aid, the city has partnered with LA CAIXA bank to launch food consumption cards.
The government has already allocated a budget for these individuals in need; previously, the practice was to provide subsidies directly to various charitable organizations. Now, the Barcelona government and LA CAIXA have collaborated to introduce this food consumption card (Targeta Solidària d'Aliments). This is a VISA debit card into which the government will load the relief funds, allowing cardholders to purchase food at designated supermarkets. This VISA card can only be used to purchase food and cannot be used for other consumer goods.
The Barcelona government is currently negotiating with major supermarkets, hoping that they will offer special discounts to holders of these food consumption cards, or provide specially labeled food items specifically for this group of people who lack purchasing power.
Currently, there are 234 food assistance points in Barcelona. The soup kitchens opened by the Barcelona government can accommodate 1,541 people for meals simultaneously, while relief centers run by various enterprises and charitable organizations can accommodate an additional 841 people.
