„Food for Life,” the food distribution mission of the Krishna devotees, served another 3,200 people over the Christmas holidays. This year marked the 35th Christmas Feast of Love. Although the line snaked through Népliget, the crowd was served in just two hours. On December 24, 1,000 food packages and hot lunches were distributed, followed by 1,100 each day on the 25th and 26th. Szekler cabbage, bean soup, lentil stew—hearty, hot, traditional Hungarian one-dish meals were prepared, accompanied by delicious bread pudding and hot herbal tea to the guests’ delight. This year, there was a notably high number of elderly people, single individuals, and single parents at the food distribution. In addition to the 1,000–1,100 daily servings distributed at “Liget,” volunteers delivered another 1,550 servings of lunch to shelters and homeless service centers throughout the capital. So while the line may seem shorter than it once was at Blaha Lujza Square, the staff at Food for Life are serving many more people—and catering to everyone’s specific needs and requirements.

The Christmas Feast of Love doesn’t stop when Advent ends; in fact, the Krishna devotees continue their special holiday series of events even into January, with the last two major food distributions taking place in Óbuda and Szeged.

Year after year, our organization receives more and more messages from people asking for help, mainly from rural areas, but also from the capital. Experience shows that it is not just the Christmas season but the entire winter period that poses difficulties for large families and retirees. While caring for children is a challenge for the former, for the elderly, it is primarily loneliness that poses a challenge.

Meanwhile, our regular work continues, as we provide 3,000 meals every weekday to help Hungarians in need! Those who are battling chronic illnesses, are temporarily unemployed, or have low incomes or pensions are able to get through these difficult times thanks to the food donations provided by the “Food for Life” charitable program.

You can also help support our campaign by: www.karitativ.hu

Photos: Tas Balogh, Filo Foto