Carme Casacuberta, the first female president of the Girona Food Bank
Carme Casacuberta (Olot, 1954) has been appointed president of the Banc dels Aliments de Girona, following the death of Joan Jorba, who held the position since June 2022. With this appointment, Casacuberta becomes the first woman to assume the presidency of this entity.
A new challenge for Casacuberta
Casacuberta faces this new position with responsibility and enthusiasm. For six months, he has worked closely with the first vice-president, Josep Maria Pagès, and with the executive management of the entity. In this mandate, a new figure will join, Albert Riera, who will occupy the executive directorship.
The current challenges of the Girona Food Bank
One of the most immediate challenges is the entry into force of the wallet cards promoted by the European Union. It is estimated that they will only reach 10% of the entity’s beneficiaries, leaving more than 34,600 vulnerable Girona residents in the lurch. The Banc dels Aliments de Girona has applied for a subsidy from the Generalitat de Catalunya to be able to offer wallet cards to three entities in a pilot plan.
Another challenge is the decrease in Food Distribution Centers in the Girona regions. The closure of several centers has created uncertainty about how to continue providing services to beneficiaries. The Banc dels Aliments de Girona does not receive permanent subsidies from the town councils, but will seek the help of Girona’s government bodies to be able to continue with its work.
The importance of the Great Food Collection
The Banc dels Aliments de Girona has experienced a drop in collection for the Great Food Collection campaign, which has fallen by 5% compared to last year. This is worrying, as the price hike will increase the number of beneficiaries, which currently stands at 38,400 people. The aim is to reverse this decline and to sensitize citizens to collaborate in this cause.
In summary, Carme Casacuberta assumes the presidency of Banc dels Aliments de Girona at a time of change and uncertainty. With responsibility and enthusiasm, it faces the current challenges of the entity, such as the entry into force of the wallet cards and the decrease in Food Distribution Centers. It is also crucial to reverse the decline in the collection of the Great Food Collection and to sensitize the public to collaborate in this cause.