Local services
The Archdiocese of Hajdúdorog in Debrecen offers a new opportunity for donations. Keeping sustainability in mind, a social and donation shop called “Caring Love” (In Hungarian Gondoskodó Szeretet) was opened in the building adjacent to the archdiocese’s headquarters at 7/A Petőfi Square on the 17th of March 2025.
This is the first store in the city where donations are possible. In the social and donation store called “Caring Love” located at 7/A Petőfi Square, the people of Debrecen can learn about a new way of giving charity. In many parts of the world, and now in Hungary too, it is customary to buy donations made to non-profit associations for a symbolic amount. The money raised in this way is used by the associations for charitable purposes.
The “Caring Love” social and donation shop is open from Monday to Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (phone: (+36) 30 448 5328). Donations can be made by buying second-hand, often branded, women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, clothing accessories, textiles, footwear, leather goods, furnishings, household utensils, household appliances, kitchen utensils, electronic and lighting equipment, sports equipment, books and toys, all of which are mainly from Sweden, at very reasonable prices.
The Archdiocese intends to use the proceeds to help disadvantaged and difficult families within its sphere of influence. The Archdiocese of Hajdúdorog would like to ensure that those who visit “Caring Love” social and donation shop make conscious purchases and are aware that with the proceeds they support charitable activities and thus improve the quality of life of those in need. In addition, those who visit can also contribute to a sustainable world, as the reuse of items sold here reduces the amount of waste that burdens our environment.
The Archdiocese of Hajdúdorog has also purchased a property in Vámospércs, where they can store, among other things, larger donations from abroad. Upon request, you can also choose from the furniture available there, at a pre-arranged time.
The donations have so far reached the needy with the help of the staff of the Archdiocese of Hajdúdorog and under the coordination of the Hajdúdorog Archdiocese Charity. However, in the future, the amount of donations and the tasks associated with them will also multiply, so in addition to the Head of the Charity, Dániel Jaczkó, István Kapin, the Spiritual Director of the Charitable Office of the Archdiocese of Hajdúdorog, and Coordinator Viktor Balogh will also assist in the charitable work.
A Greek Catholic collection point, the social service point at 5 Attila Square has been operating in Debrecen for some time. It currently welcomes and will continue to welcome those who offer food, toiletries or clothing to people in need, or who are looking for similar products for themselves. This service point will continue to be the center of Greek Catholic charitable activity in Debrecen.
“Caring Love” social and donation shop was blessed by Archbishop-Metropolitan Fülöp Kocsis. “The Lord God created man as a social being so that he could become a more human person in the community. Our task is to be angels to each other in a way that we do not only look after our own interests, but also those of others. Jesus gave himself to people in order to pass on this divine example to us,” Fülöp Kocsis pointed out.
The aid organisation of the Swedish town of Höganäs has pledged to collect one truckload of material donations per month for the Debrecen social shop, thus ensuring continuous supply. The Swedish non-profit association is exceptionally successful in fundraising. According to the Mayor of Höganäs and Head of Höganäs International Aid, Hungarian-born Péter Kovács, whose father went to Sweden in 1956, the organisation’s work can be considered stable, as they collect donations worth 650,000 euros per year.
Deputy Mayor Diána Széles praised the charitable cooperation typical of Debrecen and the new initiative. “The city is served by historic churches who believe that because there will always be poverty and there will always be people in need, they must be addressed.
We can find the solution together, by helping each other, said Diána Széles.” As she said, “It is very encouraging that in addition to the charitable activity that was started in our city many years ago in the form of the Dorkász Foundation on Dutch Protestant foundations, another exemplary international charitable relationship is developing with partners in Sweden with the help of Greek Catholics. The creation of the donation shop is an implementation of a good practice that has already been proven in Sweden. It is a good example of international cooperation, it provides a worthy framework for helping those in need, and it also serves thrift, environmental awareness, and sustainability.” Diána Széles also thanked the volunteers for their dedicated work, who help with great care to ensure that donations coming from Sweden can be properly delivered to the donation shop customers.
President of the Debrecen Charitable Board, Edit Bódor offered cooperation to those participating in the new initiative. “I am sure that I will be here many more times, and we will often have connections and connections where we can help each other,” Edit Bódor noted.
Source and Photo credit: debrecen.hu
