It was a busy Saturday at Maracanã. Flamengo, in partnership with CUFA, received donations from various parts of the city for the Mães da Favela Futebol Clube (Mothers of the Favela Football Club) initiative. The Central Única das Favelas initiative benefited from the efforts of more than 20 organizations linked to the National Anti-Racist Front, transforming Brazilian football's biggest stage into a veritable food distribution center.

The organization, which has been receiving donations since June 21st, expected an average of 350 tons per state.

Donations sent to Maracanã reached 310 tons, reaching 150 favelas. Flamengo's partners, such as Yorgus, a yogurt manufacturer, and LBBio, a laboratory responsible for producing hand sanitizer, also contributed donations.

President Rodolfo Landim, accompanied by director of social responsibility Ângela Landim, celebrated the Flamengo fans' support for the movement: "There are so many families in need of help due to the consequences of COVID-19 that Flamengo couldn't be left out. The presence of businesses, Flamengo fan groups, and fans who live near Maracanã makes me very happy. It's a very special day for the combined efforts to put food on the tables of those in need."

Celso Athayde, founder of CUFA and general director of the project, celebrated the joint efforts with the most popular club in the world: "Today was a day when we showed that we can transform a national passion into solidarity. It was very important to count on the strength of Flamengo and its fans, and of the other clubs. The mothers of the favelas are grateful."

It's estimated that the state of Rio de Janeiro collected over 2600 tons of supplies during the event. You can still help by visiting cufa.org.br.

About CUFA

Having operated in Brazilian favelas for over 20 years, promoting activities in the areas of education, leisure, sports, culture, and citizenship, CUFA faced the challenge of the pandemic in 2020. Knowing that the crisis would hit favelas even harder, we focused all our efforts on raising donations to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic.

Through the Mães da Favela program, the institution delivered physical and digital food baskets and SIM cards with free internet for six months. In 2020, CUFA raised R$187.596.960,00 million, serving 1.502.358 families in 5 favelas across Brazil. By May 2021, it had already reached R$76.923.360,00 million. The goal is to reach R$200 million for Mães da Favela in 2021.

Faced with the worsening pandemic and the country's economic situation, CUFA, together with the National Anti-Racist Front and Gerando Falcões, created Panela Cheia Salva (Full Panel Saves). This campaign aims to raise funds to purchase basic food baskets for vulnerable people.