The city of Milan launched last Tuesday (26) the 6th edition of the “Panettone Sospeso” campaign, a solidarity initiative that aims to donate Christmas sweets to everyone living in poverty and loneliness in the Italian territory.
In total, 13 confectioneries – in a total of 23 points of sale – will participate in the campaign until December 22nd.
To make a donation, simply buy a panettone and leave another paid for to be delivered to the less fortunate.
According to the organizers, for each “bread” that remains “pending”, the bakeries will add another, thus doubling the actual donation.
All the panettones collected will be taken to “Casa Jannacci”, the Milan Municipality’s Home for Reception, and to two food aid centres of the Milan Food Policy network.
The initiative is organized by the non-profit association Panettone Sospeso Ets and the participating bakeries. This year, to inform and encourage the community, the organizers have involved the artist Paolo Bordino, known as Pao, who will transform some anonymous streets into colorful works to convey a message for Christmas.
Using a QR code on the decoration, anyone can access the campaign's official website (panettonesospeso.org) and find out how to leave a panettone pending for those who cannot afford to buy it.
Inspired by the famous Neapolitan tradition of 'suspended coffee', sponsored by Milan City Council since the first edition in 2019, and thanks to the generosity of donors and pastry shops, the solidarity initiative has already collected and distributed 7 panettones to Third Sector organizations and associations operating in the Milan area.
In a statement, the association reminds that this year all people who do not live in Milan will also be able to make their contribution “from a distance”, by making a donation on the official website. All the money raised will be “transformed” into panettones.
The Milanese sweet has become famous all over the world and is one of the symbols of Christmas cuisine in Italy. It is made from a mixture of fermented dough made from water (or milk), flour, butter, egg yolks, sugar, a little honey, malt and salt. These ingredients are then combined with candied fruit, orange, cedar and raisins. (HANDLE)
