It is the ninth after those of Milan, Rozzano, Faenza, Rome, Naples and Bari, and together they support over 1,280 families every month.
The new solidarity market in via Sammartini, dedicated to 150 families identified by social services, is included within theHub 126a first aid centre for social emergencies made available by the Municipality of Milan and renovated thanks to Fiera Milano Foundationour partner in the creation of all the solidarity markets in the city.
Initially born as a first reception space for Ukrainian refugees, the Hub was then converted into a temporary store to distribute basic necessities to the homeless.
Today the new solidarity Market responds to the growing demands of the territory, with a service that puts the dignity of people at the centeroffering them concrete help that goes beyond “simply” filling their shopping cart.
Going beyond care
This is the main change of pace. The solidarity markets they go beyond the welfare logic of the food package filled with predefined products that are the same for everyone, giving families the freedom to choose what they really need, like in a small supermarket.
It is an approach that values the person and safeguards their dignity: those in need must also be able to choose what to receive.
The shelves feature fresh and long-life foods, personal hygiene and household cleaning products, items for early childhood and school supplies. The supply is made possible thanks to the Food Bank of Lombardyto donations from companies, to the recovery of supermarket surpluses and to our direct purchases to guarantee a complete basket of products essential for daily life.
Not just food. The widespread wardrobe project
Even the new one clothing corner inside the Market responds to the rule of safeguard the dignity individual: the idea of the pre-packaged kit of clothes that was once given to the needy is overcome, offering the possibility of choosing based on personal needs and tastes, between clothes, shoes, accessories, and also specific clothes for job interviews and school kits.
The wardrobe was born thanks to the collaboration with H&M Italia within a widespread wardrobe project that we will also extend to the solidarity markets of other cities.
Points-based spending: autonomy and responsibility
No money circulates in solidarity markets. Instead of money, there are points: 1 kg of spaghetti is worth 15 points, a pack of tomato puree 10, 1 litre of oil 60, a pack of baby diapers 30.
Each accredited family receives a nominal points card to climb with which to do free shopping by appointment. The points assigned vary based on the number of members of the household and the presence of small children: starting from 300 points for the first member and adding 50 points for each additional member. For children under 3 years of age, 200 extra points are provided for children’s products.
The fundamental thing is the role of volunteers who not only supervise product quality and expiry dates but also listen, offer advice on balanced spending and direct you to local services. Shopping thus becomes an opportunity for socialising with an essential educational function..
Families do not just take the products they need but learn to manage resources, in a perspective of education on saving and responsible consumption.
Thus Alberto Sinigallia, president of Progetto Arca:
Solidarity Markets are aimed at individuals and families who, without help, would risk sliding from precariousness to absolute poverty. They are tools to prevent and combat social exclusion, places of restart to get out of need.
We thank all public and private partners who in various capacities supported the opening of the solidarity Market:
Municipality of Milan, Fiera Milano Foundation, Lombardy Food Bank, Unicredit, H&M Italia and Amazon.
