Milan’s Charity Idea: Buy A Panettone And Leave One ‘Pending’ For Struggling People

Soon it will be Christmas and many people around the world, not just Italians, can’t wait to gorge on delicious golden-colored Panettone together with friends and relatives. But that doesn’t mean that everyone can enjoy it, particularly this COVID nightmare year. So in Milan it’ll be a ‘democratic’ cake gifted to those who can’t afford to buy one. 

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Over a dozen Milanese pastry shops have launched so-called Panettone ‘sospeso’ – aka a ‘pending’ or ‘suspended’ Panettone – which is paid for in advance by customers as an act of charity for struggling families. Each pre-paid Panettone will be given to the homeless and jobless.

The savory Christmas sponge cake, an iconic traditional pastry of Milan made with candied fruits and raisins, is a treat which should be enjoyed by everyone, even those who right now can’t afford it. In hard times, as Italy fights COVID and many workers have been laid-off, 15 renowned historical pastry boutiques have teamed up to make sure a slice of delicious Panettone will be part of most Christmas dinner and lunch menu. 

This is how it works: for each purchased Panettone which is left ‘pending’ for other people in need of financial help, the pastry shop owners put another one aside so it is two ‘extra’ cakes for the poor. Boutiques taking part in the initiative feature a logo at the entrance to alert and lure in customers. 

The Milan initiative replicates a similar strategy adopted in Naples since ages, where ‘caffè sospeso’ (a pending coffee) is a great way to make sure nobody misses out on the adrenaline rush and caffeine pleasure that comes with sipping an espresso. Just like great coffee is a symbol of Naples where there are many historical coffee-makers, Panettone is a symbol of Milan as much as the Duomo cathedral. 

Digital donations can also be made. Due to the COVID emergency a ‘pending’ Panettone can be purchased online. Ahead of Christmas eve, all gifted Panettone will be collected and donated to charitable organizations taking care of homeless people and families struggling due to the COVID emergency.