Food for Poor People in Bulgaria this Christmas

I'll deliver much-needed groceries in my village in Bulgaria

Description

Here in rural Bulgaria, many people are extremely poor. Many can’t afford to buy the necessities to survive the winter. They live in shacks where the water comes through the broken roofs and the icy wind through the shattered windows, and every day they have to decide whether they are going to heat or to eat - not an easy decision in Bulgaria’s bitter cold winters.

Every year, I fill boxes with much-needed foodstuffs and deliver them personally on Christmas. I know who really needs help (mostly old people, but also a family with children) and what they need most. I've been doing this for several years.

Bringing aid parcels into their homes is an incredible experience. These people are so grateful to get something to eat, that they can fill their stomachs at least for a few days. Some hug me and cry on my shoulder with relief and gratitude that they have not been completely forgotten.

I’ve written a detailed post about the the experience last year, with pictures. You can read it here: https://rayne.substack.com/p/this-week-i-delivered-food-parcels

This year, there will be twelve recipients: mostly old people, some people who are not able to work because of illness or injury, and a family with children. I plan to use my own money again to give each recipient at least one parcel filled with foodstuffs - bread, milk, rice, pasta, lentils, salt, flour, canned vegetables, tuna, sunflower oil, fruit juice and such.

If I get sponsors, I'll buy additional items. It would be wonderful to give everyone several big parcels filled with edibles, so they can fill their stomachs and enjoy a hunger-free Christmas, and to take the edge off their need for the rest of the winter.

I hope to add soap bars, candles (many can't afford electricity, and candles bring light into the long evenings as well as festive cheer to the holidays), warm socks (to keep the feet warm in the cold winter) and chocolate bars (especially for the children).

The people in the photos received aid parcels from me last Christmas, and I’ll bring them groceries again this year. They (and the little girl’s mother) have given me permission to take and share the pictures.

Volunteers will help me with the transport and carrying. We aim to distribute the food parcels on or before Christmas Eve.

If you want to donate, I’ll use your gift to buy extra items for one specific person, whatever they need most. I'll tell you the person’s name, their situation and what exactly I've bought for them, so you’ll know to whom you’ve given relief and joy this Christmas. I'll tell you how they reacted, and I may even be able send you a photo. (Of course I'll take a photo only if they give me permission.) I’ll also include your name on a greeting card, so they know which person from a distant land has sent them help.

Since I’m doing it all myself (with the help of volunteers from the village), I can ensure that the aid reaches the right people, with nothing leaking away to administration expenses or corruption. I’m not using a fundraising platform. Those siphon off a lot of the money, often 20%, in the form of hidden fees. I want to support people in need, not wealthy bankers. If you want to contribute, get in touch.

Can you imagine the warm feeling this Christmas, when you think of the person whom you’ve helped?

This screenshot from Google Maps shows Bulgaria, and I’ve marked the location of my village (Kirilovo in the Yambol Province) with a red dot.

If you’re a newsletter subscriber, you can simply reply to this email. Otherwise, you can send a message via my author website, raynehall.com.

Greetings from Bulgaria

Rayne