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Help Franco keep the Bread & Beans Kitchen pantry stocked

Franco runs a volunteer pantry feeding 213 families; this fund restocks shelves for the summer.

🇮🇹 Italy1,376 views
Franco Matteo Santoro
Email verifiedPassport verified
Verona
Since 2021, our volunteer team has run Bread & Beans Kitchen every Wednesday from the back of the mosque courtyard. We started with 29 families, and now we feed 213 each week. Donations have dropped by about 34% this summer, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 9 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the Verona market and keep every receipt. Each $20 feeds a family of four for a week. I'll post the weekly shopping receipts and a photo of the shelves each Sunday. Where the $2,000 goes: • Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $960 • Fresh vegetables and fruit: $800 • Baby formula and diapers: $240 Ask me anything below before you decide. I'd rather you were sure.

Updates from Franco

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  • Ibrahim Hussein 🇪🇬 · $50

    “Thinking of you. I'm in Zagazig, thinking of you. - Zagazig”

  • Imran R. Mabaso 🇿🇦 · $45
  • Hlengiwe Naicker 🇿🇦 · $25

    “Thought of Franco all day after reading this. - Johannesburg”

  • Anonymous 🇰🇪 · $5
  • Harold S. Schultz 🇬🇧 · $50
  • Trung Long Vo 🇻🇳 · $5

    “From my family to yours. Hope the May deadline works out. - Thủ Đức”

  • Sakura Aoi Matsuda 🇯🇵 · $25

    “Stay strong. Hope the May deadline works out. - Tokyo”

  • Jessica Schröder 🇩🇪 · $10

    “Hope it all works out. Only $10 but hope it helps. - Düsseldorf”

  • Aubree K. Prescott 🇺🇸 · $10
  • Srinivas K. Srinivasan 🇮🇳 · $3
  • Anonymous 🇬🇭 · $10
  • Anand H. Iyengar 🇮🇳 · $36
  • Mizanur Sajib Barua 🇮🇳 · $10

    “Thinking of you. Hope the May deadline works out. - Jabalpur”

  • Shoaib Junaid Jilani 🇵🇰 · $30
  • Edilene Larissa Vasconcelos 🇧🇷 · $100
  • Rohan W. Sachdeva 🇮🇳 · $75
  • Indira G. Nair 🇮🇳 · $100
  • Paulo Paulo Rodrigues 🇧🇷 · $10
  • Avery Radcliffe 🇺🇸 · $20
  • Eduardo J. Franco 🇲🇽 · $100

Reviews

3.7(3 reviews)

Only people who gave to this need, or whose offer to help was accepted, can review it.

  • Olivia E. Mills🇺🇸Verified helper
    Made a real difference

    I can't speak highly enough about this helper. They were available when I needed them, supportive when I felt lost, and practical in their solutions.

  • Bennett F. Freeman🇦🇺Verified helper
    Exactly what I needed

    I was nervous about reaching out, but this person made me feel comfortable and supported from the very first interaction. Their help was invaluable.

  • Alice Marie Hubert🇲🇦Verified helper
    Went above and beyond

    Couldn't have asked for better support. They listened carefully, understood my situation deeply, and provided thoughtful advice that actually worked. Thank you so much.

Questions & comments

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  • Thinking of you. Gave what I could, wish it was more. My neighbor in Seoul donated after I showed her your page

    • So sorry you're going through this, Franco. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. We had a similar scare last year, I know what it feels like. Thinking of Verona.

      • Rooting for you, Franco. Looking forward to the next update. Wish I lived closer to Caruaru so I could bring a meal. Thinking of Verona.

        • Saanvi T. MeenaPhoto verified

          I hope things turn around soon. I went through something like this 5 years ago and strangers helped me out.

          • Sending good thoughts, Franco. Shared it with a few friends.

            • Avery PadillaPhoto verified

              I hope things turn around soon. Sent it to 5 people at work. Greetings from Cairo

              $949.50 raised of $2,000

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