Social Store

Under the legal framework governing municipal responsibilities and powers, Law No. 169/99 of September 18, amended and republished by Law No. 5-A/2002 of January 11, assigns social intervention powers to municipalities, enabling their participation in programs to combat poverty and social exclusion.

Given the current socioeconomic context, the consequences of which affect the most vulnerable families, the Vila Verde Municipal Social Network considered it urgent to create a Social Shop in the municipality. This shop aims to combat poverty through support that ensures the needs of families are met, encouraging their participation and prioritizing networking with local partners.

Mission
The Social Store’s mission is to provide a quality service that alleviates the hardships and immediate needs of needy families in the municipality through the distribution of various goods.

Strategy
The Social Store emerges as an integrated social development strategy, aiming to provide additional support targeted at the most vulnerable populations.

Objectives
I) Promote and contribute to improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable families in the municipality of Vila Verde through the distribution of goods;
II) Promote the involvement of civil society, businesses, institutions, and the entire community in the collection and donation of goods;
III) Promote environmental sustainability and the circular economy through the reuse of clothing, footwear, and toys;

Responsibilities
I) Ensure the effectiveness of the social response;
II) Ensure the well-being of beneficiaries and respect for their dignity, promoting the participation of Social Volunteers in the dynamics of the Social Shop;
III) Stimulate beneficiaries’ interest, participation, and responsibility for the smooth operation of the Social Shop;
IV) Develop beneficiary admission criteria, defining priorities, to ensure the effectiveness of the social response.
V) Organize individual processes by household and the corresponding social report.
VI) Create a beneficiary file to record support for each household.

Beneficiaries

1. The entire community can benefit from the items available in the store (clothing, shoes, toys, school supplies, etc.) by exchanging a used food item or piece of clothing for an item available in the store, up to a limit of 10 items per day.
2. Individuals who demonstrate economic and social vulnerability, as identified by the Vila Verde Municipality’s Social Assistance and Support Offices and Parish Councils, are also beneficiaries of the Social Store.
   Beneficiaries identified by the aforementioned entities can go to the Social Store by submitting a registration form prepared by the Municipality and sent to the aforementioned entities.
   All removals of goods must be duly recorded. Only people properly referred by the Social Service Teams in their area of ​​residence (Prado Community Center; Vila Verde Social Security; or Ribeira do Neiva People’s House) and holders of a “Social Store Referral Form” may receive food.

Social Store Flyer [download document]