Solutions from Ukraine: Lviv to host Christmas dinner for people in need
Photo: Illustrative / Roman Baluk
On Christmas Eve, December 24, a traditional charity dinner will be hosted in Lviv for those facing difficult circumstances. Guests will have the opportunity to sample traditional dishes and sing carols.
The Lviv City Administration reported that.
This event, called "Bethlehem's Feast," has been organized by the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) for about 30 years. This year, at least 160 people will attend the dinner, including:
- homeless people,
- lonely elderly people,
- families in difficult life circumstances.
This year, about 60 people cared for by the "Dzherelo" social services center joined the initiative.
The program of the event:
- First, a service will be held in the church of St. Sophia – the Wisdom of God on the territory of UCU,
- After the service, there is a Christmas dinner in the UCU Dining Hall.
The festive table will feature traditional Ukrainian Christmas dishes.
The event was organized thanks to donations from benefactors and the help of the Caritas Germany foundation, which compensated for the expenses of the residents of the "Dzherelo" center.
It is worth adding that the first charity evenings for people in need were initiated by Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, who distributed gifts on the eve of the holidays to Christians and representatives of other religions. After resuming its activities, the UCU preserves and continues this tradition.
The city authorities also reminded people without housing of the need for warm clothes.
"In winter, when the temperature outside drops significantly, the number of people coming to the Dzherelo night shelter on Kyrylivska Street, the only city shelter for the homeless in Lviv, increases.
The most considerable shortage is warm men's clothing: sweaters, pants, winter jackets, hats, mittens, socks, and shoes up to size 42. But there is currently enough clothing for women," the city council noted.
In addition, during the winter in Lviv, the "Caring Bus" initiative operates, which takes homeless people to centers every Friday where they can receive social services:
- showers,
- change of clothes,
- meals,
- doctor's examination,
- hairdressing services.
For reference:
It should be noted that an inclusive modular restroom has been launched on Svobody Avenue in the central area of Lviv. This service can be paid using either cash or a bank card. Please note that the restroom will not be operational during periods of power failure.
