Nothing else will help us out of the problem, only if society unites and we help each other (Tibor Demeter, entrepreneur)

Since September 2011, our Foundation has also been providing regular assistance to the needy in Miskolc. On the last Sunday of every month, 200 portions of hot meals are distributed to needy families and homeless people in the city.

The programme was born out of necessity. As part of our nationwide food parcel delivery service, we receive an exceptionally high number of requests for assistance from the Northern Hungary region. The high number of requests for assistance is not surprising, as it is a true reflection of the real situation, as this region is one of the most disadvantaged, so-called "cumulatively disadvantaged" areas of the country. The region is characterised by higher unemployment, lower incomes and poorer living conditions, under-education, isolation, mobility difficulties and adverse demographic trends (emigration, ageing, etc.) than the national average.

These problems are also reflected in the applications we receive: many families write to us to say that, despite their best efforts, they have been unable to find work for years, so in addition to the fact that they are mostly struggling with loan repayment problems, they and their children are trying to support themselves and their children on various benefits and allowances, and often there is no money for heating towards the end of the month, so they have nothing to put on the table. Elderly, single people write to us in desperate letters asking for help because their low pensions have run out of money for medicine and food after paying their utility bills. We have also received requests from villages with an unemployment rate of 100% asking for support for their children. As our resources are limited, we were not able to provide regular assistance to all those who came to us, but seeing the seriousness of the situation, we tried to find a solution and set up an effective service that could reach a wider group. Fortunately, we found allies to help us achieve our plans, and in September 2010 we were able to launch the food distribution service.

The programme is a model of cooperation: the lunch and the food to be distributed are financed by a local entrepreneur, while the menu is prepared and distributed by the staff of the Hari-Vega canteen and volunteers of our Foundation. The location of the food distribution is provided by the municipality, and the needy are delegated by the local social services, the Hungarian Maltese Relief Service and the local Red Cross. This ensures that the most needy people can benefit from the aid.

At the first food distribution at the end of September, more than a hundred people took advantage of the opportunity, and by the end of October, almost 200 people were queuing for food and clothes in the square in the centre of Miskolc. The programme was well received by both the public and the beneficiaries, and several local media reported on the initiative.

In an interview with Radio Europe, Tibor Demeter, the local entrepreneur who financed the food distribution, spoke about the importance of corporate social responsibility and the need for social cohesion. According to the businessman, the social message of the monthly charity day is that the key to getting out of the economic and social crisis of our times is to unite, to show solidarity and to help each other. If we want this city, this region, this country to move forward, I think that is what we need, and nothing else will help us out of the problem, except if society unites and we help each other.

We are happy that our Foundation can be part of this collaboration, and we believe that together we can truly overcome the difficulties and alleviate the suffering of our fellow human beings. Just as we have strived for nearly 20 years to create opportunities for everyone to get involved in our charitable work, we will continue to make it a priority to bring together different actors in society and the economy - large companies, individuals, churches, local authorities, NGOs, local governments, etc. - for a good cause. We hope that our efforts will lead to more and more people getting involved in making life easier for our fellow human beings in need. In these times of worsening economic conditions, solidarity is perhaps more necessary than ever, because as the supporter of the Miskolc Charity Day put it - "Nothing else will get us out of trouble but society coming together and helping each other.

Let's join forces!

For more information on how you can help, go to www.karitativ.hu.