“It is Our Duty II” Social Solidarity Programme

From 2012 to 2014, the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, aiming to address the needs of vulnerable social groups who were burdened by the effects of the socioeconomic crisis, developed and implemented “It is Our Duty II” Social Solidarity Programme in collaboration with public benefit foundations, Holy Metropolises and parishes, Non-Governmental Organizations, Local Authorities and institutions active in the field of social welfare and health care.

The programme’s initial implementation phase focused on Greek citizens living in regions of Attica and Thessaloniki who had been significantly affected by the financial crisis.

Through the Social Solidarity Programme’s activities, the Foundation seeked to provide immediate relief for those affected as well as to complement and enhance similar initiatives implemented by governmental and non-governmental bodies or other public welfare institutions in Greece.

Among the Programme's key components were targeted food aid initiatives, such as -indicatevely- the following:

• The Foundation began its collaboration with the Greek Food Bank - Institution to Combat Hunger in April 2012. In the framework of the Programme, the annual food aid programmes in 17 municipalities of the Attica Region and 8 municipalities of the Regional Unit of Thessaloniki were funded, supporting approximately 5,600 people.
• The Foundation funded Boroume, a private non-profit organisation, which combats food waste and channels surplus food to vulnerable social groups. The Foundation supported two programmes, one that sought to utilise surplus agricultural production to benefit social groups facing food insecurity ("Boroume Gleaning"), and another which aimed to raise teenage awareness concerning issues of food waste while developing their social conscience ("Boroume in School").
• The Foundation participated in a major programme implemented nationwide by the Prolepsis Institute of Preventive Medicine, Environmental and Occupational Health, in areas with over 85% food insecurity, ensuring the delivery of nutritious meals to 343 students from five primary schools.