Mijas families need support: How local shoppers can lend a hand this weekend

A few euros added at the supermarket till this weekend could help ensure families in Mijas have food on the table. Seventeen local supermarkets are taking part in Bancosol’s Great Collection on Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14, inviting shoppers to make a small donation while doing their usual shopping.

Easy ways to help

Rather than collecting tins and packets at the door, Bancosol is asking for financial donations this year. At the checkout, customers can tell the cashier how much they would like to give, and the amount is added to their receipt.

There is no set amount and no pressure to give. Whether someone can spare €1 or a little more, every contribution helps Bancosol buy the food its partner organisations need most.

Participating stores in Mijas include familiar names such as Mercadona, Carrefour and El Corte Ingles, so many residents will be able to take part during an ordinary shopping trip.

Helping neighbours in Mijas

Bancosol, the Costa del Sol Food Bank, currently supports 483 people in Mijas. Of these, 190 are children and young people.

Across the wider province, the organisation helps 20,589 people through 129 local charities and community groups. Of that total, 5,094 are minors.

For families already stretched by rising living costs, reliable access to everyday essentials can make a real difference. Financial donations allow Bancosol to buy items when they are needed, including fresh produce and products with shorter shelf lives.

Volunteers are always welcome

Bancosol is also looking for volunteers to help during the two-day collection. Volunteers will welcome customers, explain the campaign and let people know how they can donate at the till.

Shifts last approximately three to four hours and are available in the morning or afternoon. Some volunteers have already completed the necessary training, but more people are needed to cover all participating stores.

Anyone who would like to help can call 621 30 72 92 for information or to sign up.

A community effort

Mijas Town Council is supporting the campaign, together with the local association Sembrando Sonrisas Cosechando Felicidad, which translates as “Sowing Smiles, Harvesting Happiness”.

The initiative is part of Bancosol’s wider Great Collection across Malaga province, which will involve 285 supermarkets and aims to raise €450,000. The money is intended to help maintain food supplies for vulnerable households until spring.

Bancosol’s president, Diego Vazquez, has stressed that volunteers make a visible difference to the amount raised, particularly in smaller towns where fewer people may already know about the campaign.

For Mijas’s international community, the collection is an opportunity to support neighbours who may be having a difficult time. No specialist knowledge is needed, and a donation can be made in the same visit as a weekly food shop.

How to take part

– Visit a participating supermarket in Mijas on Friday, November 13 or Saturday, November 14.
– Ask the cashier to add a donation to your receipt.
– Consider volunteering for a morning or afternoon shift.
– Call 621 30 72 92 to find out more or register as a volunteer.

For more information on the wonderful work they do, visit the Bancosol official website. Every contribution, no matter the size, can help the families who need it most.