Salgotarjan City, a city near Budapest, was formerly a center of heavy industry, but recent economic changes in Hungary resulted in a decline and closure of these industries. This has led to high unemployment and poverty in the city and surrounding area.

In October of 2000, World Job and Food Bank Inc. (WJFB) sent a representative to Hungary to gather information on the city. After examining the situation, it was established that a Teen Drop-In Centre needed the help of outside resources because it was lacking funds. This Drop-In Centre for teens provides counseling services and skills training.

Approximately 30-50 teens visit the centre daily, and many of them are hungry and do not have enough food. The WJFB decided to launch a feeding program (similar to Brown Bagging it for Calgary Street Kids) for the centre.

The representative from WJFB helped the center set-up this program. WJFB provided funds and worked with the locals to get food supplies and provide lunches for the teens over a short-term period of 6 months. The project was then handed over to be run by local people.

(C) World Job and Food Bank.
jedison@wjfb.org