President urges home owners to donate food in major campaign to cut poverty

Lithuanians have been urged to donate food as part a country wide campaign to cut down on food waste and tackle poverty.

Lithuania's President Dalia Grybauskaite urged home owners to take part in the Food Bank (Maisto Bankas) campaign launched today in Vilnius.

"By joining the Food Bank campaign we help out not only those in the greatest need but are also creating a better Lithuania. It is the best proof that concern and responsibility can be not alongside us but together with us everyday," Grybauskaite said.

More than 7,000 volunteers will invite supermarket visitors to donate food for those in need.

A total of 385 supermarkets across Lithuania will take part in the campaign. In Spring, the Food Bank campaign collected food worth over LTL 1 million (290 thousand euros).

October 17 also marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

Watch the video below showing how the Food Bank project went last year. For more information on the campaign visit HERE