I helped offer a Christmas lunch to the least well-off in Budapest today. It was the best thing I’ve done since I arrived here. The Hungarian Interchurch Aid organisation ran the event, with support from local companies, and I went down with a small group from the Embassy to do what we could to contribute.
Having chatted with the organisers and done some media interviews to try to promote this excellent HIA work, I spent a couple of hours serving paprikas krumpli to those who had gathered at the event. I reckon we must have served around 700 people in all. Some homeless, some in low grade housing; some alone; some with young families. All in need. The life stories I heard were deeply moving and the situation of many tragic. But the atmosphere of the lunch was joyful. For many, as someone put it, this was their Christmas Day. There were no arguments or queue jumping (as far as I could see). Just good humoured sharing, despite the cold.
It really brought home to me the plight of many in Europe’s big cities. And how important it is for those of us who can to spare time or offer financial support for them to act. The members of HIA who were directing our work were inspirational. And to see and experience their dedication to the least favoured in society was humbling. I’ve signed up already to support the programme again next Christmas. This time helping prepare as well as serve the food. But I also want to become more involved personally in this work throughout the year. I’ll write about that as it happens.
In the meantime, if you live in Hungary, please consider how you can support organisations like HIA. And if you live elsewhere you might like to look out for similar opportunities to give a little back to society.