International community join with local volunteers to collect food for families in need — November 2025
A weekend of giving-back
Sometimes, the most meaningful moments happen in the most ordinary places, like a supermarket on a Saturday morning. That is where volunteers from Madeira Friends spent the weekend, collecting food and smiles at Pingo Doce in Lido. Between Portuguese “obrigados” and friendly conversations, locals and internationals came together to make a difference.
As CASA’s director, Silvia Ferreira, explained in a recent interview, “many of those we help today are employed, but the rising cost of living means their salaries no longer stretch far enough.”
That’s why, twice a year, CASA organizes island-wide food collections to support families across Madeira, and once again, Madeira Friends joined in full force.
CASA currently supports around 300 families in Funchal, Santa Cruz, Machico, Calheta, and Ponta do Sol. These campaigns, held in March and November, are crucial to ensuring that no one is left behind.
Madeira Friends at Pingo Doce Lido
For the Madeira Friends community, a group that unites internationals, expats, digital nomads and locals, living on the island, this collaboration was the perfect way to give back to the place they now call home.
“I wanted to get involved because I feel incredibly lucky to live on this island, especially as a foreigner,” shared Valerie Sautter from France. “Giving back felt like the most natural way to say thank you.* These two days of collecting food were genuinely meaningful, I made friends, practiced my Portuguese, and was reminded how much impact small gestures can have.”*
From the Netherlands, Laura van den Berg echoed that same gratitude: “I’m very grateful for everything the island is giving me. I want to give back, contribute and support initiatives like this — it’s important. It was really nice to meet like-minded souls to do this work together with. Good fun to smile and greet locals and talk to customers from all over the world. I’m very happy to help keep this island a safe, beautiful, and peaceful place.”
Moments that melted barriers and hearts
At first, some volunteers were nervous about the language barrier. But they quickly realized that kindness speaks louder than words.
Children even helped their parents donate. One woman hugged the team, thanking them, explaining that she had a family member going through difficult times. Others said, “I can’t give much, but I still want to help.”
The excitement of receiving each new donation filled the team with joy. Some volunteers even came back the next day, and one said, “It was a blast! I returned today as a donor.”
Volunteers from France, Poland, Belgium, Romania, U.K, the Netherlands, Russia, the U.S., and other countries stood shoulder to shoulder with Madeirans, proving that empathy doesn’t need translation.
“It was really nice! Everyone was so goal-oriented and super friendly.” “Great vibes all morning — we were always aligned on how to do things.”
Finding meaning through service
Yulia Kazakova from Russia, who has lived in Madeira for over two years, said the experience reminded her of the power of community.
*“Madeira has given me so much, a sense of safety, home, and belonging. Volunteering felt like a simple yet important way to give something back.” *She laughed as she recalled her team’s inside joke: “Someone described it as ‘training in handling refusals,’ because not everyone wanted to listen. But after a while, you stop being afraid to approach people. Watching the boxes fill up and seeing kindness in people’s eyes brought a deep sense of joy.”
One island, many hearts
The CASA and Madeira Friends food collection wasn’t just about food, it was about connection.
It showed that Madeira’s international community isn’t just living here; they are part of the island’s heartbeat. Together, locals and newcomers proved that when people act from gratitude, borders disappear, and compassion takes the lead.
Closing thought
Kindness needs no translation. At Pingo Doce Lido, what began as a food collection became something greater, a shared reminder that Madeira’s true strength lies in its people, and in the hearts that keep choosing to give.
✍️ Written by Madeira Friends: a community of locals, expats, and digital nomads giving back to the island they love.