How is Christmas 2020 at the Menni Mensa

12/25/2020 Business



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The smile is there, but this year you can see it in the eyes. In the Menni Mensa, behind the masks and plexiglass, the ritual of the Christmas meal is repeated, distributed by Caritas operators and volunteers and offered, as every year by the Industrial Association of Brescia, to those who have nowhere to go .

The structure, inaugurated in 2000 in via Vittorio Emanuele II and dedicated to the memory of Mother Eugenia Menni, former superior general of the Congregation, also on Christmas 2020, as if it were any December 25, opened its doors to dozens of people. The differences, with respect to previous years, lie in the security measures to contain the contagion of COVID-19. The food is packed in mono sealed portions: a first course, bread, fruit and panettone. But, for the rest, the spirit of closeness is breathed although this year is perhaps an anniversary even more sober and moderate than in the past.

In the Mensa, around noon, the Bishop Pierantonio Tremolada who wanted to exchange, as usual, a few words with those present, bless them and help the volunteers to distribute the gift packages specially prepared for those who presented themselves today.

Cantina service in months of pandemic He had the need to reorganize. The business has changed: during the first closure and until the beginning of October it distributed 200 hot takeout meals a day (6,056 in August compared to 3,584 a year earlier), now it welcomes the needy (130 per day) in the lounge, divided three shifts, and only prior registration.

Access has registered a decrease that Caritas attributes to two reasons: the fact of hosting just “registered” It may have caused some people to not show up; Furthermore, compared to the past, the dormitories are open 24 hours a day, so those in these structures do not need to go to Menni for lunch.