In the midst of a coronavirus pandemic emergency, Italians' sensitivity is increasing. Carts full of basic necessities. Stalls full of packets of pasta, milk and rice to help needy families. Bags of fruit and vegetables in front of stores. But also bread and pizza.
“Free bread” is written on a sheet of paper taped to a shopping box. “Every night, at 19:30 pm, we donate unsold bread and pizza to people in need,” adds the advertisement.
The scene takes place in Ostia Lido, a neighborhood in Rome, but Italian generosity is spreading throughout Italy.
In Terni, in front of the primary school, a box full of food products appeared, including packets of pasta and cans of beans, with a foil sign sealed inside a transparent envelope and the inscription: “Chi ha metta. Chi non ha Prenda” (in free translation: “Whoever has it, puts it. Whoever doesn’t have it, takes it”). The phrase was immortalized by napolitano Giuseppe Moscati, a doctor, scientist and university professor, known for his pioneering work in biochemistry, but also for his piety. Moscati was canonized by the Catholic Church in 1987.
In Naples, a city known for its solidarity, residents prepare food daily for the homeless and also place "panaro" (wicker baskets, traditional to the city) on the balconies of elderly people living in the city's historic center. The idea is that no one should be left helpless during this coronavirus crisis, says Angelo Picone, who, along with Pina Andelora, carries out this daily mission.
The idea was quickly copied and other baskets – with canned food, pasta, pieces of bread and salami – appeared in the historic center of Neapolitan, accompanied by messages of hope and the rainbow, which in Italy represents peace. Some baskets contain clothes, soaps and detergents. Everything to alleviate the suffering of those who survive day after day.
To encourage food collection, several stores in Somma Lombardo and Vergiate, in the province of Varese, provide boxes where it is possible to leave pasta, rice and other long-lasting products, which can then be distributed to those in need.
“Whoever can, leaves from the heart. Whoever can't, take it with love. Thank you”, says the poster. The idea, generous and spontaneous, came from a local businessman, who promised to continue providing assistance to those in need until the end of the Covid-19 emergency.
Currently, Italy is the country with the highest number of coronavirus victims: 15.887 in total. According to data made available by the Italian Civil Defense, this Sunday (5), almost 130 thousand people have been infected since the beginning of the pandemic. The country has been in total quarantine since March 09th.
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