As it has been doing since 2012, the Kéretlen Figyelem Debreceni Nők Közéleti Egyesülete (Unwanted Attention Debrecen Women’s Public Association) once again provided lunch for people in need in Debrecen this Sunday.
Association’s statement:
Even well before the start of the event, people were lining up for the hot meals at Petőfi Square. Since we can only serve 150 guests, we have to distribute numbered tickets.
Unfortunately, by 10 a.m. all the tickets had been handed out, and those who arrived later could no longer be given hot meals. Those who stayed received bread and pastries instead. All of this happened in Debrecen, where – it is often said – we have a “caring” city leadership. If this is how it is with “care,” what would it be like without it? There are always so many destitute people standing in line that they could be seen even from the Moon – but not from City Hall.
Before the food distribution began, we commemorated Pope Francis. There are certainly both believers and non-believers among us; it is everyone’s private matter. However, we all highly respected Pope Francis for his strong advocacy for the poor, the destitute, and the homeless.
“He was the Pope of the poor,” said one retired lady. “Even Viktor Orbán could learn some humanity, humility, love, and kindness from him,” she added with a resigned hand gesture.
Today was no different from other times: there were an overwhelming number of people. Thanks to the kind-hearted citizens of Debrecen, we received many donations, so those who managed to get a ticket were able to go home with full hands. We are grateful to the two bakeries that donated bread and pastries. A Debrecen resident also brought 11 boxes of cooked meals.
One of the highlights was the pizza brought by a local family. Every month, they bake pizzas themselves and bring them for the children. We cannot thank them enough. The kids immediately sat down and ate them happily. Perhaps if some of the wealthier citizens of the city saw the joy on these children’s faces as they ate pizza, even their “stone hearts” might soften.
We are truly grateful to everyone who helped ensure that no one went home empty-handed. It is a good feeling to know that humanity has not disappeared in Debrecen, and that many “ordinary people” have hearts full of warmth and the will to give and help without expecting anything in return. We have great respect for all of them.
Our association will next welcome guests again on May 25, 2025, at Petőfi Square. We also plan to prepare a Children’s Day surprise according to our possibilities.
We invite everyone who would like to help — either with two hands or with financial support:
We welcome donations from Debrecen residents, primarily NON-PERISHABLE FOOD (in unlimited quantities), fruits, potatoes, oil, and cleaning supplies;
We welcome sweets, cakes, and children’s toys;
We welcome offers from Debrecen citizens, public institutions (such as the zoo), pizzerias, ice cream shops, especially for Children’s Day;
We welcome offers and cooperation from Debrecen restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores.
We particularly ask Debrecen’s wealthier citizens and businesses to help us ensure that every hungry resident receives at least one plate of food! True Christian love means giving selflessly, without expecting anything in return.
We ask for your support for a good and noble cause.
If you would like to help or donate, please contact:
mobile (available every day): +36 30 9841 963
Bank transfer:
Kéretlen Figyelem Debreceni Nők Közéleti Egyesülete
Account number: Polgári Bank ZRT 612 00261-11059802
(Please include “ételosztás, 2025” [food distribution, 2025] in the comment/message section.)
For more information, call +36 30 9841 963.
— Ibolya Tukoráné Kádár, President of the Association
