The Importance of Social Canteens in the Portuguese Emergency Food Program: A Case Study of the Holy Houses of Mercy

Abstract

The Portuguese social canteens are a social response to fight the extreme poverty and social exclusion in Portugal. The Solidarity Network of Social Canteens was created under the Portuguese Emergency Nutritional Program in 2012 to ensure individuals and/or families in need have access to free meals. This study aims to assess the contribution of the Social Canteens managed by the Portuguese Holy Houses of Mercy in implementing the Emergency Nutritional Program (particularly in a sample composed
of the Holy Houses of Mercy in Northern Portugal). Therefore, we developed a detailed (descriptive and content) analysis upon a survey responded by these institutions. Most of the surveyed institutions revealed a significant increase in the number of daily provided meals (an increase of 300 meals per year since 2012). Despite this increase and the discussion of other obtained indicators, the Social Canteens also identify several criticisms in the linkages of the Program, specifically within the following three vectors: governmental support, interconnection among institutions, and the rules of the Program.