12 from 12 at 12. It is D day and hour H but with S for solidarity and T for Telemarathon. This is an equation that, with Mercatenerife as its setting, is solved not with X, but with the M of Manuel Artiles. In the director’s own words of Mírame TV, who is also the promoter of this initiative that has surpassed twelve editions: “My struggles – related to the recovery of my health challenges – pale in comparison to a father incapable of providing for his son on Three Kings’ Day.” Today marks the designated day for carrying out the charitable effort intended to assist 40,000 Canarians, of which 6,000 are children, who are vulnerable and living in poverty.
The Food Bank (Bancoteide) facility at Mercatenerife will open its doors from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., enabling “everyone to contribute to realising this dream,” states Artiles, highlighting that support will be disseminated to all islands through food banks, thanks to an agreement established with two shipping companies.
The chain’s director expresses “my concern and the concern of the food banks and NGOs to reach our goal, the significant challenge ahead.” It has been noted that since November of last year, they have not received any contributions from European funds, which translates into a shortfall of 250,000 kilos of food, set against the backdrop of 750,000 individuals in the Canary Islands living below the poverty line.
Manuel Artiles reminds us that all potential beneficiaries “carry a referral from their municipal social services, verifying that they are individuals living in extreme poverty, families struggling to survive, including those 6,000 children, on a monthly budget of less than 500 euros.”
Artiles encourages all Tenerife residents wishing to assist their less fortunate fellow citizens to come forth with their donations. The 2024 Solidarity Telemarathon seeks non-perishable food, infant products, clothing, footwear, new toys, and personal hygiene supplies. The organisation has previously established authorised collection points to ease the donation process.
The event today will see hundreds of children and adults participating actively, yet it is intended for everyone. It will be broadcast live “to showcase the solidarity of the public,” emphasises Artiles, who adds: “The greater the participation, the more we can assist. From my experience following my accident, I learned that people are always there for one another, and they were there for me. Hence, I am bold enough to urge you to join us. He concludes: “Anyone who believes that people lack goodness should turn on their television after seven in the afternoon, as they will witness that the Canarian community always supports its own.”
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