Nearly 100 tonnes of food have been collected in the Republic of Moldova through the “Meal of Joy” campaign, which aims to support vulnerable people ahead of Easter.
The annual national food collection drive, organised on Lazarus Saturday by the Social Mission “Diaconia”, reached its 17th edition this year and recorded a new high, according to organisers.
Thanks to strong community mobilisation, 98,688 kilograms of food were collected, including 33,667 kilograms in Chișinău alone. The donations will be directed to elderly people living alone and individuals facing hardship.
The collected products will provide daily hot meals for beneficiaries of social canteens and parish centres within the Metropolis of Bessarabia, as well as food packages delivered directly to those in need during the Easter holidays and Bright Week.
Significant growth
Diaconia executive director Igor Belei highlighted the scale of this year’s campaign.
“We have recorded a remarkable increase in the number of localities that chose to get involved and be part of this act of solidarity, as well as in the number of corporate teams that supported the initiative—a clear sign of the social maturity of the Republic of Moldova,” he said.
“Solidarity is increasingly becoming a natural part of community life, and the Paschal period is already associated with the ‘yellow code of kindness’ promoted by the ‘Meal of Joy’ campaign,” he added.
Community impact
More than 1,350 volunteers participated in the collection effort, contributing to the initiative’s success. Daniela Groza, youth department coordinator, stressed the importance of young people’s involvement.
“The 17th edition was, above all, about the emotion of being together. Volunteers carried forward not only the campaign’s message, but also a spirit of openness and genuine care,” she said.
One volunteer shared her personal experience: “I started volunteering out of curiosity three years ago, and over time, I chose to continue because I feel I can do good for the community. Each experience within the ‘Meal of Joy’ campaign brings me joy and the feeling that I have contributed something good.”
Nationwide effort
The collection took place in more than 150 stores in Chișinău and in over 40 localities across the country, including Soroca, Bălți, Orhei, Cahul, Ungheni and Comrat.
By comparison, in 2025 the campaign collected 85,886 kilograms of food with the support of 1,200 volunteers across 120 stores in Chișinău and 33 other localities.
The “Diaconia” Social Mission, established in 2001, is the charitable arm of the Metropolis of Bessarabia and operates throughout the Republic of Moldova. It is a member of the “Filantropia” Federation of the Romanian Patriarchate.
Photo: Diaconia.md
