With Italy recording more than 60,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and more than 6,000 deaths, the government has imposed a strict lockdown urging people to remain indoors. However, that isn’t an option for thousands of homeless people in Italy. According to a report by The New York Times, there are 8,000 homeless people in Rome alone. With nowhere to go and no food to eat, these people are going through a rough patch.
To help such people, Italians are hanging “support baskets” from their balconies filled with food and essentials, reports The Guardian.
The initiative started in one street but slowly other localities followed suit. A person named Lucarrielo said it was “important to look after each other while people waited for each other”.
People online have been posting pictures and videos of the baskets on Twitter. Signs attached on the baskets read, “If you can, put something inside. If you can’t, take something”.
Have a look at the tweets here:
In Naples, people are starting to hang baskets from balconies for less fortunates who can't work due the lockdown. The sign says "if you can, put something inside. If you can't, take something". It's called "supportive basket" and it's based off an ancient tradition of the city. pic.twitter.com/RCxViTFkgb
— Tommaso (@partommi) March 30, 2020
Sharing is caring | Italian man feeds homeless from his balcony amid lockdown pic.twitter.com/SZjDtxsc4a
— RT (@RT_com) April 2, 2020
Les paniere solidaires à Naples ♥️ « celui qui peut, qu’il mette; celui qui ne peut pas, qu’il prenne. » pic.twitter.com/2f0u6saA7b
— Serena 🤌🏼🌶 (@serenagiuliano_) March 31, 2020
Naples residents hang up baskets full of food for less fortunate.
In fact this morning I saw trolleys full of food with labels "Free" outside local Tesco.
Humanitarianism is breaking out.
— Imtiaz Mahmood (@ImtiazMadmood) April 2, 2020
With all the store closures in Italy, it often becomes difficult to make a meal every day. Many people leave baskets with food every single day for those who unfortunately do not have any. Italians make us more proud every single day ❤️🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/brQXCPlnoh
— Growing Up Italian (@GrowingUpItalia) March 29, 2020
Food baskets for vulnerable lowered from balconies in Italy… https://t.co/UEXmDs10CR#compassioniscontagious #coronavirus #generosity pic.twitter.com/IJDKrVL6Ah
— Sameera (@istillah) April 1, 2020
🇮🇹 People take food from baskets that are hung around Naples by people who have donated food as Italy struggles to contain the spread of #coronavirusneple
The sign on the basket reads: "Who can put in, who can't take." pic.twitter.com/9ud0VjdXu2
— sean✨ (@SEANGUNN256) March 31, 2020
Kudos to the Italians who are helping the homeless during the lockdown. We hope this inspired others to do the same!