Easter meetings for lonely and needy

Their stories are often almost identical. – We came here because we are alone. We live alone – says one of our interlocutors, a participant in the Christmas meeting. – It also comes with age and it feels – admits another participant in the meeting.

Lonely and in need in many cities met at common tables. – The proximity of another person is needed – says our interlocutor.

And on holidays, lonely people lack even more than on a daily basis. At least in Gdynia sports hall they were not alone for a while. – Everyone can sit here, cry together, but today we have to enjoy – says one of the participants of the meeting.

– It gives me joy personally that I can be for another person, but I also use that I give a smile to others – says another participant.

Many have been celebrating in this way for years. For others, it is an opportunity to take care of lonely. – I came for the company for my wonderful friend who has problems walking, just because she is alone and I wanted to accompany her on such a beautiful day – says one of the interlocutors.

Places – as always – was enough for everyone.

– Everyone has the right to come here, regardless of their statute, because we are open on holidays – indicates Bożena Zglińska, director of the Senior Activity Center in Gdynia, event organizer.

There were as many as 700 people in Łódź. Sometimes new acquaintances are made in such a crowd of strangers. – We met in the queue. We quickly met and made friends quickly – we hear from our interlocutors.

In addition to loneliness, the majority of poverty broke into life, which they are trying to forget at the Easter table for a moment.

– You can see in these people often that they are really hungry. I took your food to you yesterday. There were various types of products, but she hugged the bread and said: God I have bread, I will really be full – says Jan Piontek from the foundation of Zabdomżój.pl.

Every holiday in the whole country of tables at such Easter meetings. A very long queue lined up in Poznań in Poznań. Here, there were enough holiday packages for 1,300 people. A lot of volunteers worked on their preparation.

– Christmas Eve is over, we have already started thinking about Easter breakfast – says Sr. Józef Krupa, Elżbietanka. – Żurek 300 liters. About a thousand eggs. Sausage the same – says our interlocutor, who prepares Easter breakfast for the needy.

Read also: A report that is shocking. Two and a half million Poles are in extreme poverty

So that nobody came out hungry. About this – not only from holidays – cares about Caritas. – Every day it spends over 1,500 meals to our residents, those in need, in the crisis of homelessness – indicates Jędrzej Solarski, vice president of Poznań.

For the recipients, each package has a double value. Because in addition to Easter dishes, the memory of the other person counts. – A man with a man here will do something together, we feel better immediately – says one of the volunteers.

– You can say that it is only to get up in the morning. The service itself is, of course, a pleasure for us scouts – adds a volunteer and a scout. – I like to help from the heart – another volunteer echoes.

And such help cannot be overestimated. Without the entire army of volunteers and donors, the organization of today's Easter meetings would be impossible.

– It also shows that we want to not only use help, but also want to provide this help – notes Fr. Arkadiusz Lechowski, director at the Family Service Center.

And this is a task for all of us. It is worth visiting a lonely neighbor with an Easter basket and good wishes today. – Let's not be ashamed to ask: you know, I have something excess, I can share. You don't need a lot – indicates Jan Piontek.

– Poles always want health. This is primarily. However, to all those who do not have this health, you need to wave and nail five – says one of our interlocutors.