On February 14, in the heart of Lisbon, we gathered not just to celebrate love, but to honor a deeper kind of love — love for humanity. At the center of this gathering stood Isabel Jonet, a leading voice in social impact in Portugal, sharing her journey of giving and generosity.

As president of the Portuguese Federation of Food Banks Against Hunger and the Lisbon Food Bank, Isabel has dedicated decades to fighting food insecurity. Under her leadership, Portugal’s Food Bank network has grown to 21 banks, driven by an innovative management model that prioritizes efficiency and process optimization. Her impact extends beyond Portugal, inspiring similar initiatives in Angola, Cape Verde, and Mozambique.

Isabel began with a simple yet profound message: We are part of a whole. Every action we take, every word we share, and every initiative we support contributes to something greater than ourselves. “Be connected to build a better world,” she urged, emphasizing how technology and digital platforms are transforming the way we engage with social causes.

With each slide, she painted a vision of giving not as a singular act, but as a cycle—a movement that grows through awareness, participation, and shared responsibility. She posed a question to the audience: What is my role in the world? It wasn’t rhetorical; it was an invitation. A challenge to reflect on our responsibilities as citizens, as individuals with skills and resources, and as people capable of making a difference.

One of Isabel´s most remarkable achievements is the Food Bank’s online campaign. In just one week, it united 4,000 donors, collected 150 tons of food, and raised €190,000 across 91 countries. But beyond the numbers, it was proof that even the smallest actions—clicks, shares, and donations—can create ripples of change.

Beyond food donations, Isabel is a fierce advocate for volunteerism. Her energy was infectious as she spoke about Bolsa do Voluntariado, Portugal’s largest volunteering platform with over 700,000 registered volunteers, and Volunteerbook, a Facebook-integrated application that amplifies the reach and impact of volunteering through social networks.

“To give a hand, you just have to move a finger,” she reminded us.

As she reached her final slide, she left us with a question that lingered long after the event ended: What mark do we want to leave?

Isabel´s talk was more than an inspiring keynote—it was a call to action. A reminder that each of us has the power to connect, share ideas, and do more. And as we stepped out into the Lisbon morning, we carried with us not just her words, but a renewed sense of purpose.

Because love for humanity isn’t something we celebrate just one day a year. It’s something we build—together—every single day.

Photography: Matej Simko 

Text: Irina Konova