The Hungarian Food Bank Association, which has been operating in our country for eight years, announced a photo contest in September, in which the photo submitted by our foundation (shown below) won first place.
The Food Bank’s goal is to collect food that companies or food chains either voluntarily donate for charitable purposes or are unable to sell for some reason, even though it is fit for human consumption. These items are later distributed to those in need through partner organizations. Since its inception, our foundation has maintained close cooperation with the Food Bank, which has an international network, as we are currently one of the largest, if not the largest, food distribution organizations in Budapest.
When the contest was announced, the organizers were looking for photos that showed how the Food Bank’s activities and the food donations it distributes help improve the lives of those who receive them. Their goal was to demonstrate to current and future supporters that the Association’s work is greatly needed, that the work they do is effective, and that the food received and distributed reaches the right people.
Out of the 78 photos submitted by the contestants, our foundation won the contest with the following image. We received the book prize awarded to the winners in October at the official opening of the Food Bank’s new storage facility from Balázs Cseh, the association’s representative. (The other winning photos and the entries can be viewed here:
http://www.elelmiszerbank.hu/hu/hirek/jo_kep__jobb-let_fotopalyazat_-_eredmenyek.html#.UlviNxDjGCY
At the opening ceremony, the history of the organization’s founding was discussed, along with the work it has carried out since then and its objectives, many of which align with the values upheld by our organization. One of the main objectives of our mission, „Food for Life,” is to combat unequal distribution. Through our activities, we also aim to draw attention to the paradoxical situation where, while millions are starving in many parts of the world and thousands lose their lives daily due to a lack of food, in so-called affluent societies, tons of leftover food end up in the trash. People living in regions with more favorable climates often consume food in a very wasteful manner, their ecological footprint is above average; however, the effects of environmental damage resulting from overconsumption are first felt by those living in extreme poverty, who already reside in areas of our planet that are at a critical juncture from a geographical and environmental perspective.
The Food Bank is therefore a partner with whom we can work toward shared goals, and our collaboration serves as an excellent example of the necessity and effectiveness of the civil sector’s presence and activities. We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the Food Bank’s staff and volunteers for their many years of collaboration and support!