Government of SP starts collection for victims of RS; see what to donate

Drinking water, cleaning products and hygiene items are priorities to help residents affected by the floods

The São Paulo Social Fund (FUSSP) and Civil Defense began receiving donations to be sent to victims of the rains in Rio Grande do Sul this Sunday (5). The population will also be able to take donations to Poupatempo posts from this Monday (6). The action is part of the São Paulo Government’s mobilization to help the population of Rio Grande do Sul, which also has rescue teams, boats and aircraft.

Individuals, entities and companies can make donations. The materials must be delivered to the FUSSP warehouse, located at Avenida Marechal Mário Guedes, 301, in the Jaguaré neighborhood, in the capital. The place opened exceptionally this Sunday from 8am to 5pm. During the week, donations can be delivered from 8am to 5pm at the same location. Transport to Rio Grande do Sul will be provided by the airlines Latam, Gol and Azul, which volunteered to send donations due to the various roadblocks.

For those who choose to make donations via Poupatempo, it is possible to send the materials to any of the 241 units in the capital, Greater São Paulo, Baixada Santista, North Coast and interior. All items received at Poupatempo will be sent to FUSSP for distribution to those affected by the rains in the South.

The priority at this time is for drinking water and cleaning and hygiene products, items requested by the Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul. Food and clothing are not among the main needs at this time and, therefore, should not be sent.

“Just arrive and deliver the donations, no registration required. The recommendation is that the items are, preferably, sealed and new”, explains the FUSSP chief of staff, Cristina Prado. The campaign has no end date. The first truck with products leaves the warehouse on Monday morning (6) for air transport.

FUSSP is not receiving donations in Pix or cash. Anyone interested in this type of help needs to seek out the official channels of the Rio Grande do Sul government.

But it is possible to help with volunteer work at the São Paulo warehouse to help with transportation and separation of items. In this case, just show up at the location.

Many people took advantage of the first day of the campaign to make their contributions this Sunday. Driver Carlos José Souza de Oliveira donated items collected at the church he attended. “We are going to help others, we are doing our part for people who are in need right now.”

Commercial director Rafael de Souza is from Rio Grande do Sul and says that his entire family is committed to helping flood victims. “We have been in São Paulo for 11 years and were looking for a place to make the donation. We found the Social Fund, which is playing a very important role. So we collected a lot of stuff on Pix with friends, we bought the items they asked for and came to deliver.”

• See the list of priority products for donation:
  Water
  Bleach
  Bucket
  Disinfectant
  Detergent
  Powder detergent
  Brush for washing
  Cleaning sponge
  Steel sponge
  Multipurpose cleaner
  latex glove
  Floor cloth
  Squeegee
  Bar soap
  Trash bags
  Saponaceous
  Broom
  Razor
  Toothpaste
  Toothbrush
  Dental floss
  Soap
  Shampoo and conditioner

Other information about donations to victims of the floods in Rio Grande do Sul can be accessed on the FUSSP website fundosocial.sp.gov.br, on the fund’s official networks or by calling 11 2193-6979 and 11 3238-3944.