The Orihuela branch of Cruz Roja (Red Cross), which is dedicated to helping people in need, was swamped with new cases during last year, whilst donations became fewer. The promise of a grant from the Generalitat Valenciana has also been shelved forcing its organizers to search for contributions elsewhere.
The number of families registered to accept food parcels doubled to 460 during 2009, a clear indication of how the crisis has pushed several middle class families below the breadline, to depend exclusively on social resources. In 2008, Cruz Roja Orihuela distributed 9.664 kilos of food, increasing to 19.101 kilos in 2009.
Packages are jointly funded by the EU Food Bank and Valencian Department for Social Welfare and previously included milk products, oil, pasta, pulses, cakes, rice and cereals. However needs have become so desperate that more personal hygiene products and detergents have since been included, as well as grants towards electricity, water and mortgage payments.
The President of the Orihuela branch, Andrés Ramón Alonso, said that they wish to open a funded dining facility, as seen in other areas, although the project “Will not be easy as there are many requisites and determining factors”. He commented that charities and voluntary organisations such as Cáritas and Cruz Roja, cannot be expected to solve all of the problems of the municipality, adding that a certain effort must also be shown by the City Council.
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