Samaritan Association has provided food to nearly half a million people in Latvia

RIGA - The Food Bank organized by the Samaritan Association of Latvia has helped feed 400,587 people in Latvia over the past decade, the organization's representative Baiba Pare informed LETA. 

On October 16, the Food Bank 'For a Fed Latvia' marked its tenth anniversary. The organization's representatives said that during the past decade, 74,332 packages of food have been distributed through the Food Bank, which has received EUR 333,435 in donation and provided support to 400,587 persons. 

"When the Food Bank was created ten years ago, many families needed extraordinary assistance due to the economic crisis. However, there are still many families that are faced with unexpected financial difficulties," said the Food Bank's head Agita Kraukle.

She noted that typically, assistance is sought by single parents with two children and monthly income of up to EUR 350, who are not entitled to any low-income status that would entitle them to government support. 

The Samaritan Association's Food Bank works with more than 30 regional nongovernmental organizations and three social services and has developed an extensive network to help people in as large territory as possible.