‘CFood Bank a vote-catcher’ claim in Costa Blanca

IN 2016, Calpe council backed a proposal to wind up the local food bank, Calp Ayuda (Calpe Helps). Ana Perles, at that time, Social Policies councillor, announced that this service would be redirected to non-government organisations. Despite the decision, the town hall has continued to distribute food via the foodbank, using municipal resources, both the Compromis and PSOE political parties have pointed out. It is still possible to apply for help via the town hall’s website, the parties claimed. A PSOE spokesman also recalled how aid to social organisations was cut back and aid services combined with the municipal Food Bank in 2012.
“The principal motive appears to have consisted in politicising the need of others with donations,” he claimed. Compromis spokesman Ximo Perles went further, insisting that the local government had irregularly maintained the service to capture votes. Providing a service after that service had been wound up was outside the margins of legality, without auditing or control, Perles declared.