The humanitarian organization of Krishna devotees, the Food for Life Mission, began its work in our country in 1989—30 years ago this year. Officially, however, it became a registered, recognized nonprofit organization exactly 20 years ago, on March 9, 1999.

These 30 years have enriched us with a wealth of experience. Over the years, we have witnessed immense pain, vulnerability, sadness, and poverty on an unimaginable scale—as well as just as much hope, smiles, gratitude, and joy. As one of our dear volunteers put it: „Every food distribution is a bittersweet event.” We live and work within this duality every day. It is our determination to combat hardship and deprivation that drives us to make deliveries early in the morning, unload supplies, and light the fires under the cooking pots—and it is this hope, joy, and satisfaction that make us do this day after day.

At first, we were able to provide food to the hungry at irregular intervals, but later we opened our soup kitchen in Budapest and began serving our guests rich, nutritious hot meals that they can’t get anywhere else—as our beneficiaries tell us.

Thirty years ago, when we did not yet have the necessary infrastructure, we carried out our work in partnership with other organizations. In the beginning, we regularly prepared and served hot meals at the Red Cross kitchen on Damjanich Street. Even then, there was always a huge line waiting for food donations, including widows, weary workers, and the homeless. Meanwhile, the green Robur van bearing the words “Hare Krishna” would regularly appear in the middle of Blaha Lujza Square, where monks in saffron-colored robes distributed vegetables, fruit, and non-perishable food from the truck’s flatbed. Meanwhile, we managed to open our own soup kitchen on Tömő Street, not far from a similar facility run by the Sisters of Mother Teresa. We served meals to hundreds of people every day. This kitchen later moved to Munkásotthon Street in Újpest, where as many as 300 people gathered at lunchtime. In the meantime—now operating as a foundation—we launched an evening “winter tea service,” which quickly evolved into a hot meal distribution point, as it became clear that there was a great need not only for bread rolls and tea but also for cooked meals. Thus, the temporary program, funded by a grant, evolved into a regular street soup kitchen, operating for many years in the center of Blaha Square, by the fountain; then next to Rókus Hospital; on Teleki Square; in City Park; and finally, today, in Népliget, next to the Planetarium.

In the meantime, the mission has continued to expand and grow; we’ve partnered with an increasing number of organizations, implemented joint programs, established collaborations with more and more local governments, and the number of daily food portions has swelled from a few hundred to several thousand. We’ve also opened distribution sites in rural areas one after another, reaching different segments of the population through various programs. We’ve recognized that the true power of food distribution lies in its ability to prevent hardship, keep families together, and reach people in difficult situations before they end up on the streets or have to turn to other aid organizations. We’ve also realized that collaborating with professional organizations, such as family support services, ensures that those we serve receive comprehensive assistance. Some organizations assist with housing or debt relief, while we provide support with daily meals.

We distribute more than half a million servings of hot meals each year. In rural areas as well, we provide several thousand meals to those in need at each location. In addition to our daily food distributions, we deliver lunch to residents of the Budapest Methodological Social Center and its affiliated institutions. We are delighted to have been included in the Hungarian Food Bank Association’s food rescue program, and we can perhaps say that we are the fastest in the capital at getting short-shelf-life products to those in need. During our special holiday food distributions, we are able to offer generous aid in the form of non-perishable foods made from high-quality ingredients that are essential for cooking.

We ask for your blessings and kind support so we can continue!

An indispensable part of our work over the years has been the people who regularly support our efforts through their donations, their 1% tax contributions, their physical labor, and their connections. If you support our mission, please help us by calling the Adhat hotline at 13600 and dialing code 33, for a gross donation of 500 Ft per call, or keep us in mind when you donate 2×1% from your taxes.

Tax ID: 18095575-1-41, Food for Life Public Benefit Foundation
Technical Number: 0389, Hungarian Society for Krishna Consciousness
You can help here, too: www.eteltazeletert.hu

Thank you for your trust!