Solidarity stores are becoming more and more popular in Italy, but what exactly are they? And who can access them? These particular stores were created to provide real support to people who are facing economic difficulties, but solidarity stores also do much more.
The solidarity shops they are very particular shops that are spreading in an increasingly widespread manner in Italiaprobably in response to the economic emergency triggered, and in many cases aggravated, by the Covid pandemic that only a few years ago took the entire world by surprise. But what exactly are solidarity stores?
This term refers to some marketor real shops where you can get free food, basic necessities and sometimes even books and toys for children. The service is aimed at people in economic difficulty who struggle to do the shopping, but the social solidarity This is not the only point in favor of these particular stores.
Solidarity stores also represent a means to combat food waste and encourage the adoption of a circular economy, aimed at reusing rather than wasting resources and products that are still in excellent condition. In this article we will see what you can buy in the Solidarity Store, where these particular stores are located and how to find them in Italy.
What are solidarity stores?
As we have anticipated, when we talk about “solidarity emporium” we are essentially referring to shops, very similar to classic supermarkets, where it is possible to obtain basic necessities. But exactly what do the stores “sell”? In these places you can get food (bread, pasta, milk, legumes, vegetables, fruit and even frozen products), personal hygiene productsbut also clothesbooks, toys and other items, completely free of charge.
This form of support is aimed at people in economic difficultyand the products on the shelves mostly come from private donations and collections.
But the solidarity shops I’m not “just” this: in addition to providing support to people who are facing an economically difficult time, and in addition to representing an effective response against consumerism and food waste, these particular “shops” are also committed to offering services and orientation and training coursesin order to allow beneficiaries to access the labour market more easily.
Solidarity shops can also offer legal advicepromoting better economic and social inclusion.
How does the Solidarity Emporium work?
Technically speaking, how does a solidarity store work? In most cases, the management of these “shops” is entrusted to non-profit organizationssuch as voluntary associations, social cooperatives, but also public and ecclesiastical bodies.
To access the Solidarity Emporium and get the goods for freeit will be necessary to undergo individual interviews and provide appropriate information Certifications who demonstrate that they are in financial difficulty.
Where are the solidarity shops in Italy?
At the beginning we said that the solidarity shops they are gradually spreading throughout Italybut exactly in which Regions and Municipalities can they be found?
In order to answer this question, we will rely on the data collected as part of the report of the Italian Charity and of the Csvnet (Association of Volunteer Service Centers), organizations that have drawn up a list of open and active stores in Italy until 2018.
In our country, almost 180 stores were registered up to 5 years ago, but the number of stores will certainly have increased over time. Among the regions where the greater presence of solidarity shopsthose in Northern Italy certainly stand out, namely Lombardy, Emilia Romagna, Piedmont and Veneto. From Milan to Rome, from Bologna to Genoa and Catania, there are many solidarity shops ready to provide support to those in need.
On the website of Csvnet you can find a list updated to 2018 with all the solidarity shops in Italy, divided according to the Region and the municipality they belong to. Furthermore, to locate the solidarity shops in your Region or Municipality, you can visit the websites of the local volunteer associations.
Source: www.greenstyle.it
