Among the participating stores, the “Food for Life” initiative will be accepting donations at the Aldi on Huszti Street in Dunakeszi and at the Tesco on Bécsi Road. This is the easiest way for us to help those in need this Christmas.
The largest food drive of the year, organized by the Hungarian Food Bank Association, will take place from Friday through Sunday. A total of 6,500 volunteers will be collecting donations at 356 stores in 153 towns across the country. The Food Bank asks everyone to add any non-perishable food item to their shopping cart for those in need while shopping, which they can then donate at the collection points next to the registers after paying.
Budapest, November 14, 2023 – Since 2006, the Food Bank has organized its annual Christmas non-perishable food drive, which over the years has grown into one of the country’s largest celebrations of solidarity and cooperation. Two years ago, for example, the three-day program concluded with a record-breaking total of 347,000 kilograms, and they were able to provide assistance to 70,000 people in need during the holiday season.
Last year, charitable giving was hampered by a number of factors, which was reflected in the volume of donations: the number of donations received fell by one-third. Fortunately, this year, those looking for the simplest way to help those in need during the holidays—namely, direct food donations—will no longer have to deal with price caps or quantity limits. In addition to canned goods, baby food, and holiday candy packages, people can once again easily donate flour and cooking oil.
We can provide assistance at 356 locations across the country
The collection will take place from November 17 to 19—Friday through Sunday—at 356 locations nationwide in the stores of four retail chains: Tesco, ALDI, Auchan, and METRO. Donations can be dropped off with Food Bank volunteers wearing green vests at designated collection points near the registers. Donations will be accepted on Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and on Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
„At the Food Bank, the number of requests for assistance began to rise sharply this year—unusually early, well before the heating season. Of particular concern is the high proportion of families with multiple children, single-parent households, and elderly people among those seeking help. We want to ensure that no one goes hungry during the holidays. Together with our volunteers, we’re asking shoppers for their help this coming weekend.” – said Balázs Cseh, president of the Food Bank.
It goes where it's supposed to, efficiently and reliably
Through their donations, shoppers can directly help people in need in their local communities. The Hungarian Food Bank Association is certified as an „ethical donation-collecting organization,” so donors can be confident that their contributions will truly reach those who need them most. The Food Bank distributes the collected food to those in need in the weeks leading up to the holidays and during the coldest weeks of January, in collaboration with charitable organizations operating in the vicinity of each store. For those in need, the most helpful items include ready-to-eat canned foods, rice, pasta and accompanying sauces, flour, baby food, cooking oil, long-life milk, and sweets—as well as any food that does not require refrigeration.
Tesco is also providing financial support to supplement customers’ donations over the course of the three days. The company will contribute an amount equal to 20% of the value of the products donated at its stores to support the Food Bank’s year-round food rescue efforts. For those who are unable to visit a store in person over the weekend but would still like to contribute to the drive, Tesco’s “Tesco at Home” service offers an opportunity to give back. On their website With just a few clicks, you can earn between 1,000 and 5,000 forints buy donation packages for families in need.
The Food Bank is confident that, as a result of this three-day campaign, it will be able to alleviate food insecurity with a significant amount of donations and make the holidays more joyful for those in need. The donations will primarily help the elderly, large families, those in the care of family support services and children’s homes, people with disabilities, the homeless, and residents of the country’s most underdeveloped communities. The stakes are high; without our collective support, tens of thousands of people and families in need could go without food this Christmas.
The Food Bank's Christmas Fundraiser by the Numbers
- This coming weekend, 6,500 volunteers will be helping with the collection drive at 356 stores in 153 towns;
- During last year’s three-day campaign, shoppers at the stores donated 150 kilograms of food every minute, which was enough to put together 30 food packages per minute;
- These were then used to make 48,246 food packages, each weighing 5 kilograms;
- To make donating easier, some Tesco stores are offering pre-packaged donation kits that donors can purchase to provide a holiday dinner for a family of four.
- A list of the stores participating in the collection drive is available here: https://bit.ly/aruhazlista2023
Don't forget thez "Food for Life" from supermarkets
- at the Aldi on Huszti Street,
- At the Tesco in Dunakeszi
- and will be waiting for those who wish to donate at the Tesco on Bécsi út!