In 2013, we are once again placing great emphasis on charitable initiatives related to the Christmas season. However, in addition to helping 6,000 people nationwide with 32 metric tons of food, our primary goal is to ensure that our gift-giving programs—held in the spirit of this season of love—are, above all, truly about love and care.

Throughout December, we organized a variety of events in Budapest for people with disabilities, as well as for children, families, and seniors. On December 20, we held a Christmas charity dinner combined with a cultural program for 100 homeless patients at the BMSZKI homeless care unit.

This will be followed by the 4th Óbuda Family Christmas Event, which—just like last year—will involve hundreds of residents of District III who also participate in our daily food distributions. The local mayor, Balázs Bús, has honored the event with his presence and hands-on help for many years. The locally founded Összefogás Óbudáért Association will also be handing out toys and candy canes on site, in the parking lot in front of the Village Hall.

To wrap up our Christmas events, the usual Blaha Lujza Square Clothing, toy, and food packages will be distributed on December 24, 25, and 26. The event, which involves more than 100 volunteers each day, begins at 11:30 a.m. on all three days. Unlike our other programs, there are no requirements for participation other than patiently waiting your turn. Upon arrival, those waiting in line will receive a numbered wristband. Our food packages, each worth nearly 3,000 Ft, They contain 24 different foods, which include a variety of non-perishable foods as well as sweets—an essential part of the holiday.

Of course, in addition to Budapest, we organize charity drives in numerous other major cities and towns, as we know that even in rural areas, many families can only afford the bare essentials during the holidays. Food Delivery Service Demand for our services has skyrocketed as the holidays approach, so we have made every effort to provide as many aid packages as possible to support families, seniors, and the sick living in small communities who, due to where they live or their circumstances, have nowhere else to turn for help. Unfortunately, the demand was still ten times greater than our capacity, so despite our best efforts and expectations, we were unable to provide assistance to everyone.

Among our rural locations Egerben Our volunteers will be distributing Christmas lunches and food packages on two occasions: on the 21st and the 28th. Local social workers will notify those in need about this opportunity. As part of this initiative, children here will also receive toys and warm clothing, since in many households, Christmas gifts remain nothing more than a dream.

On 22 December In Miskolc Our volunteers will be distributing 300 servings of hot meals, bread, and fruit; they will reach those in need here as well, in cooperation with local social organizations. The event will take place at Europe Square at 1:00 p.m.

In Debrecen The Christmas event will also be held on Sunday at the usual location, at 2 Magyari Street, for our regular guests. Here, too, hundreds of people will benefit from our support, and to celebrate the holidays, in addition to the usual hot meals, we’ll be delighting the little ones with a distribution of clothing and toys.

A In Somogyvámos Active Krishna devotees will treat all the village residents to hot Indian dishes on December 23, starting at 3:30 p.m. The primary goal of this gathering, which includes a meal, is to build and nurture relationships with members of the village community; therefore, the freshly cooked vegetarian lunch will be delivered to the homes of all 650 residents. The village’s elderly residents also received a package of non-perishable food items from our organization as part of another event organized by the local government.

In Pécs Our gift-giving programs took place in early December, during the St. Nicholas Day celebrations; we provided a gift package to children from six schools who are growing up in the most difficult circumstances.

On December 21, starting at 11:00 a.m., the from Kiskunhalas At Csipkeház, we provide a pleasant daytime program for families in need, where our support staff strive to offer some emotional and spiritual support—along with a warm meal and the chance to spend time together—to people facing difficult circumstances.

On Christmas Eve from Kecskemét Our volunteers help disadvantaged residents by delivering hot meals to their homes—a tradition that has become a staple of our work. They assist people with whom they have had long-standing relationships and with whom they have built a bond of trust over the years.

Szeged Our program, organized in collaboration with the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service, can also be considered a tradition; it will take place on December 30 this year. For years now, the 150 homeless people who gather at the day shelter on Csanádi Street have been enjoying hot lunches prepared by our regular volunteers.

In Szolnok and In Szombathely Our Christmas promotions are still being organized.

You can support our national programs by calling the 13600 donation line and dialing code 33, with each call contributing 250 Ft (gross).

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the many supporters and volunteers who have come forward—without whom it would be impossible to carry out our programs! We are deeply grateful that you have joined us in our work, as your enthusiasm and selflessness help us spread the spirit that is the true essence of this program series.

Our main sponsors:

Budapest Municipal Government, Budapest Sewerage Works, Budapest Public Space Maintenance Ltd., Hungarian Food Bank Association, SoSe Public Benefit Foundation, Zelt Ltd., Csodaest Ltd., Govinda Vegasarok, City B. Club Ltd., Mobiltoalett Ltd., Ferihegy Ltd., IXO Consulting Ltd., Oracle Hungary Ltd., Kemence Ltd., Ferenc Csík Elementary School and High School, and many others who did not wish to be named.