Christmas campaign to combat solitude and social isolation
“Lights with presence” is the motto of the new social responsibility campaign
Funding 11 national projects to combat Loneliness and Social Isolation is the ‘Lights with Presence’ campaign’s goal, which Missão Continente will carry out this Christmas, from the 20th of November 2021 to the 6th of January 2022. This solidarity campaign counts on TVI, the Portuguese Football Federation, Entrajuda and Banco Santander as partners. All information about fundraising and the supported entities is available here.
As of this Saturday, November 20th, the ‘Lights with Presence’ campaign will reach all Continente, Continente Modelo, Continente Bom Dia, Continente Online and Meu Super stores, from north to south of the country and islands, via the sale of €1 vouchers. The amount raised fully reverts to finance projects by institutions with national operations – ‘SOS Voz Amiga’ and the Portuguese Red Cross - and 9 other institutions with local activities* dedicated to combating and preventing Loneliness and Social Isolation.
“Loneliness, aggravated by the pandemic, is already considered a public health issue which we cannot ignore due to its consequences in the mental health field and its direct impact on society as a whole. Particularly in Portugal, the aging of the population makes this issue even more pressing, despite being a problem that affects all age groups”, explains Nádia Reis, Director of Communication and Social Responsibility at Continente.
“For this reason, this Christmas, Missão Continente, as a platform that is attentive to the communities’ needs, wants to raise awareness to the loneliness and social isolation issues and create a positive impact on populations, especially in an era whose spirit is one of solidarity, of unity, of family, of communion”, adds the official. “We want it to be a Christmas with light, in which everyone feels accompanied, that they know they are not alone.”
In a symbolic movement, for each voucher sold, Missão Continente will turn on a light in several of the most isolated locations in Portugal, making these populations feel a little more accompanied in this festive season. With the promise of reaching all parts of the country, Missão Continente will turn on Christmas lights in all the mainland and islands’ districts.
Missão Continente identified 11 institutions* dedicated to developing and carrying out concrete actions on preventing and combating Loneliness and Social Isolation, such as specialized emotional phone support, support for digital inclusion (basic communication tools), free complementary healthcare at home, plastic and musical expression sessions to stimulate cognitive and emotional skills, companion animals, home visits and monitoring daily tasks, among other activities and forms of specialized help for those who need it the most.
In order to help, simply purchase one of the €1 solidarity vouchers, which are for sale at Continente, Continente Modelo, Continente Bom Dia, Continente Online and Meu Super stores. Additionally, it is possible to contribute in the following ways:
*Institutions supported by the ‘Lights with Presence’ Campaign:
#MissaoContinente #LuzesComPresença #LightsWithPresence
Funding 11 national projects to combat Loneliness and Social Isolation is the ‘Lights with Presence’ campaign’s goal, which Missão Continente will carry out this Christmas, from the 20th of November 2021 to the 6th of January 2022. This solidarity campaign counts on TVI, the Portuguese Football Federation, Entrajuda and Banco Santander as partners. All information about fundraising and the supported entities is available here.
As of this Saturday, November 20th, the ‘Lights with Presence’ campaign will reach all Continente, Continente Modelo, Continente Bom Dia, Continente Online and Meu Super stores, from north to south of the country and islands, via the sale of €1 vouchers. The amount raised fully reverts to finance projects by institutions with national operations – ‘SOS Voz Amiga’ and the Portuguese Red Cross - and 9 other institutions with local activities* dedicated to combating and preventing Loneliness and Social Isolation.
“Loneliness, aggravated by the pandemic, is already considered a public health issue which we cannot ignore due to its consequences in the mental health field and its direct impact on society as a whole. Particularly in Portugal, the aging of the population makes this issue even more pressing, despite being a problem that affects all age groups”, explains Nádia Reis, Director of Communication and Social Responsibility at Continente.
“For this reason, this Christmas, Missão Continente, as a platform that is attentive to the communities’ needs, wants to raise awareness to the loneliness and social isolation issues and create a positive impact on populations, especially in an era whose spirit is one of solidarity, of unity, of family, of communion”, adds the official. “We want it to be a Christmas with light, in which everyone feels accompanied, that they know they are not alone.”
In a symbolic movement, for each voucher sold, Missão Continente will turn on a light in several of the most isolated locations in Portugal, making these populations feel a little more accompanied in this festive season. With the promise of reaching all parts of the country, Missão Continente will turn on Christmas lights in all the mainland and islands’ districts.
Missão Continente identified 11 institutions* dedicated to developing and carrying out concrete actions on preventing and combating Loneliness and Social Isolation, such as specialized emotional phone support, support for digital inclusion (basic communication tools), free complementary healthcare at home, plastic and musical expression sessions to stimulate cognitive and emotional skills, companion animals, home visits and monitoring daily tasks, among other activities and forms of specialized help for those who need it the most.
In order to help, simply purchase one of the €1 solidarity vouchers, which are for sale at Continente, Continente Modelo, Continente Bom Dia, Continente Online and Meu Super stores. Additionally, it is possible to contribute in the following ways:
- Bank transfer to IBAN (Santander) PT50 0018 2392 01073969 020 35 (applicable to SEPA/Immediate bank transfers); NIB (Santander) 0018 2392 01073969 020 (applicable to ATM Transfers)
- MBWay via the No. 937 07 07 07
- Value-added phone call to the number: (+351) 761 10 10 10
*Institutions supported by the ‘Lights with Presence’ Campaign:
- ‘SOS Voz Amiga’ Association
- Portuguese Red Cross
- ‘N.ª Sr.ª do Extremo’ Social Center (Vila Pouca de Aguiar)
- ‘Espaço T’ - Social and community integration support association (Porto)
- ‘Aldeias Humanitar’ - Social Solidarity Association (Sernancelhe)
- ‘Mais Proximidade’ Association (Lisbon)
- ‘ACASO’ – Olhão’s Cultural and Social Support Association
- DTC Social – Doing Things to Connect
- ‘Coração Amarelo’ Association (Porto de Mós)
- ‘CRESAÇOR’ – Regional Cooperative of Solidarity Economy (S. Miguel)
- ‘Viver de Afetos’ - Câmara de Lobos VIVA Community Development Association (Madeira)
#MissaoContinente #LuzesComPresença #LightsWithPresence