Priest in Iași trades altar for kitchen to feed hundreds of orphaned children ahead of Romania’s Children’s Day
A Romanian Orthodox priest in Iași has launched a large-scale campaign to ensure no child in the county goes hungry on *1 Iunie* (Children’s Day), swapping his clerical duties for mass meal preparation. Father Dan Damaschin, known for his charitable work, mobilized volunteers under the slogan *"Dăm zvon în țară, nicio burtică să nu rămână goală"* ("We spread the word: no little belly stays empty"), according to *Adevărul* . The initiative targets hundreds of impoverished children in the region, where poverty rates remain high despite economic growth.
The effort coincides with Romania’s annual *1 Iunie* celebrations, a national holiday dedicated to children. While Bucharest hosts outdoor festivals, educational activities, and interactive events—including free park festivals, vintage train rides, and airplane flights—*Adevărul* reports a decline in the number of large-scale public events compared to previous years . Meanwhile, retailers like eMAG are promoting outdoor-focused gifts, such as electric scooters and sports equipment, to encourage children’s physical activity .
Father Damaschin’s campaign underscores persistent social inequalities in Romania, where nearly 30% of children live in poverty, according to EU data. His work aligns with broader trends of grassroots charity filling gaps left by state welfare systems, particularly in rural and post-industrial areas. The *1 Iunie* holiday, rooted in communist-era traditions, has evolved into a mix of public festivities and private initiatives, reflecting both celebration and ongoing social challenges.