The Krishna devotees’ Christmas Feast of Love event series is nearing its climax. During this marathon food distribution campaign, 6,000 festive meals and packages of non-perishable food will be delivered to families, the sick, the elderly, and retirees. It is not only sad but also uplifting that this is the 35th Christmas Feast of Love.
As part of their “Food for Life” humanitarian program, the Krishna devotees are organizing their 35th annual Christmas food drive this year. The first event began with just dry pasta and potatoes, but it later became a tradition to also distribute hot meals and generous, non-perishable food packages to participants. Experience has shown that these food packages are of particular value to families in need, who use the cooking ingredients and treats—such as cookies or Christmas candy—received here to make the holiday special truly making Christmas a special time for their families. In many places, without the “Food for Life” package, a festive meal simply could not be served. All of this can be very emotionally taxing even for young children, for whom it would be best if they never had to experience deprivation, but it is also undignified and disheartening for the elderly, who have worked their entire lives and are now facing old age in poverty.
But who actually needs help, and why? Here are a few anonymous letters from the “Food for Life” mailbox.
„I live in Budapest with my young daughter, who is in school and gets sick quite often. I’d like to ask for your help—I’ll accept any kind of assistance for the holidays, since I live with her in a rented apartment and my income barely covers our rent, making our day-to-day lives very difficult. Thank you in advance!”
„I am writing to you because of our current situation. We have two minor children. We are currently renting an apartment because I lost my job a month ago, so my husband’s income is our only source of income, which covers our rent as well as our preschool and school expenses. Any kind of help would mean a great deal to us.”
„Good afternoon. I’m raising my little boy on my own; unfortunately, I don’t have a job, and I receive a working-age benefit of 35,000. That’s what we live on—we’re in a crisis. I wasn’t able to pay the rent this month. Please don’t get me wrong—I don’t want money; I want a job so I can pay the rent and put food on the table for my son. Please, help me!”
„We’re living in very difficult financial circumstances. Our house is also in very poor condition. My income is low, and unfortunately, I have deductions, so I receive 33,250 Ft per month. It’s often a struggle to buy food for our daily meals. My husband has currently found some odd jobs, but unfortunately that’s not a steady income. If possible, I’d like to ask for some non-perishable food so that at least we won’t have to go hungry at Christmas.”
On November 25, the Krishna devotees began their series of festive events, which extends even beyond the Advent season. Volunteers from the organization have already visited Szeged, Békéscsaba, and most recently Eger, Debrecen, and Erzsébetváros. Following the major event in Népliget, the program will continue in Óbuda on January 20, and will conclude once again in Szeged on January 27.
The highlight of the Christmas Charity Banquet every year is the distribution of holiday gift packages in the capital. On December 24, 25, and 26, families in need are welcome at Népliget, which is a good location because it’s easily accessible by long-distance buses from the nearby metropolitan area. Arriving visitors can expect 1,000–1,100 packages and meals each day. Numbered wristbands can be picked up starting at 9:00 a.m. The organizers They strongly urge everyone, ...so that people don't have to come out at dawn to get their wristbands; there will be enough for everyone from the packages. Food distribution will begin at 11:00 a.m.
Krishna devotees believe that, although it is sad that it is necessary, there is still something uplifting about this 35th Christmas Feast of Love. The fact that the holiday food distribution program has been running continuously and without interruption for 35 years—including during the coronavirus pandemic and the severe food price crisis—shows that the food distribution team, as well as the donors, are extremely dedicated! Caring for others and showing them love and compassion are both our fundamental needs and our duty, and we can only truly feel good when our fellow human beings are healthy and happy.
Attila Szanyi-Karl, the head of the Food for Life Foundation—a humanitarian organization run by devotees of Krishna—was recently honored on the occasion of Budapest’s 150th anniversary. The „Budapest Award” is a perfect illustration of how the Christmas Charity Banquet has now become an integral and inalienable part of the capital. And selfless care lies deep in the hearts of the Hungarian people.
Our press release announcing the campaign: https://krisna.hu/2023/vilagmeretu-krizisek-es-egyeni-csatak-ezrek-varjak-iden-is-a-krisnas-karacsonyi-szeretetlakomat/