Ibérica de Patatas, Spain's largest trader of potatoes for consumption, has signed an agreement with the NGO Mensajeros de la Paz (Messengers of Peace), founded and directed by Father Ángel, to donate more than 3,000 kilos of potatoes per month to food banks and soup kitchens run by this organisation.
Mensajeros de la Paz attends the needs of more than 700 families on a daily basis in soup kitchens in Madrid, Toledo, Leon and Melilla, and runs a food bank in Madrid through which it distributes food to more than 1,200 families.
Ibérica de Patatas, in addition to donating potatoes (an initiative made effective already in January and which will run indefinitely), will also include a message in the packaging of its products indicating that it is a food being used to support Mensajeros de la Paz. Depending on the needs of the NGO and the results of this solidarity campaign, Ibérica de Patatas may progressively increase its monthly donation of potatoes.
Ibérica de Patatas is a Madrid-based company committed to improving its social environment: "We are not oblivious to what happens around us," says Pablo Jiménez, manager of the company. "With this initiative, we want to contribute to alleviating the plight of many families who are suffering the impact of the financial crisis."
Ibérica de Patatas has a history linked to solidarity and social action. In 2008, to celebrate the International Potato Year, it donated 0.7% of its sales revenue to the health and humanitarian aid programme of Peru's Coprodeli Foundation.
Mensajeros de la Paz was founded in 1962 by Father Ángel García; it is an NGO praised by its activities both at national and international level and has received awards, including the Prince of Asturias Award for Concord. When it started, it was mainly devoted to the building of homes for children and youth deprived of families. Over the years, it has expanded its activities to other vulnerable social sectors: female victims of domestic violence, people with physical and mental disabilities and elderly people living alone, abandoned or destitute.