site.btaOver 612,000 Vulnerable People Supported under Food, Basic Material Support Programme

Over 612,000 people from vulnerable groups have been supported with more than 5,140 tonnes of food under the national programme for food and basic material support, the Labour and Social Policy Ministry said in a press release on Tuesday. The programme is co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus. Eligible for support under the programme are low-income individuals and families who receive various types of social benefits. Families with children, adults with disabilities and other groups in difficult living situations are also eligible.

In 2024, the Bulgarian Red Cross, a beneficiary of the programme, has distributed over 400,500 individual packages containing 17 types of food products, as well as over 367,300 packages of hygiene materials. Families of three or more were entitled to two packages of each type.

As of July 1, 2024, the rate for a hot lunch was increased from BGN 3.20 to BGN 3.64, following the government’s decision to give the Managing Authority permission to go over the budget of the programme.

Almost 87% of the programme’s budget, which totals some BGN 411 million, has been agreed so far. More than 40% of it has been disbursed, the Labour and Social Policy Ministry further said.