Since the beginning of the novel coronavirus pandemic, Flamengo, in partnership with SOS Favela/Viva Rio, has launched the Nação Solidária campaign, which provides community support in several underserved areas of Rio de Janeiro. This Thursday (14), the club offered assistance to street vendors working at Maracanã Stadium, directly impacted by the suspension of games at the stadium due to the global health crisis. Seeking to alleviate the situation, the club distributed food vouchers, hand sanitizer, and Zico-branded personal protective equipment.

Approximately 200 informal workers were served from 9 a.m. to 16 p.m. on this first day of distributions. In total, 922 street vendors were registered in the program and will receive the R$55 benefit.

"Like so many informal workers, Maracanã's street vendors were severely impacted by the pandemic and the resulting suspension of matches. They are families, often fathers, mothers, and children, who earned their living as street vendors at the stadium's games. With these people in mind, we are now also directing our campaign to help, in some way, during the difficult times these workers in the football industry, people so important to us, are experiencing," said Camila Nascimento, Flamengo's Social Responsibility Manager, who attended the deliveries.

It's worth noting that Zico, Flamengo's greatest idol, also participated in the event. At the request of Zico, masks featuring the star were made for distribution. The bottles of hand sanitizer bearing the Mengão crest are a partnership between the club and LBBio (Brazilian Biology Laboratory). Additionally, Mendorato, a sponsor of Mais Querido, also distributed packets of peanuts to registered workers.