The Christmas Feast of Love will take place again this year, even though organizing the event is a huge challenge for the Hare Krishnas as well, since not only families but also charitable organizations are struggling, as they are forced to purchase ingredients for their food distributions—and previously, fuel as well—at prices above the government-set rate.
The Christmas Feast of Love is a nationwide series of events that includes Debrecen, Eger, three towns in Somogy County, Pécs, Kiskunhalas, and Szigetvár, as well as Óbuda in the capital, and on Christmas Day, the food distribution at Népliget. From December 24 through 26, families are welcome starting at noon each day next to the Planetarium building. Those who come can take home a hot lunch, fresh baked goods, hot tea, Indian sweets, fruit, and a food gift package containing nearly 20 items. Instead of government-subsidized food items, the aid packages will contain other useful cooking staples, such as yellow peas, rice, long-life milk, and canned goods, as well as delicacies, chocolate, and treats that will make these three days truly festive even for families in need.
Wristbands will be available for pickup on-site starting at 9 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis, and we really don’t want our guests to be out in the cold on the square from the crack of dawn, although fortunately, the weather forecast calls for milder weather for the holiday weekend. There are no prerequisites for participation, and the Krishna devotees warmly welcome retirees, the unemployed, and large families who, as a result of the current crisis, are facing financial hardship for the first time, and have never before used the services of Food for Life or other aid organizations. The whole point of the initiative is to catch families before they fall too far behind and to help those in need while there is still time.
The food distribution site is located near the Népliget bus station, so the organizers hope that this will allow those in need from more distant rural communities to attend the relief effort as well.
Celebrities and public figures are once again joining the team of enthusiastic volunteers this year; András Laár, Iván Fischer, Dorottya Geszler, Áron Kovács, Angéla Stefanovics, and Eszter Vitályos, Parliamentary State Secretary, will be in attendance over the course of the three days.
If someone is lucky enough to be on the other side of the food distribution counter and is able to help others, the https://karitativ.hu/ The organization also welcomes donations to support its food distribution efforts.
Our press materials: https://krisna.hu/2022/