Loppiano’s First Weekend For Giving

The story of the Focolare Movement often begins with the following words: “It was wartime and everything was crumbling  . . . only God remained.” That was in 1943 when the Second World War was in full swing. Many of the practices of those early days have become emblematic and are now part of the heritage of Focolare communities around the world.

One such practice was the “bundle”. Vittoria Aletta Salizzoni, one of Chiara Lubich’s first companions explains:  “I remember one thing. I think it happened in 1946. Chiara proposed that we give away our extra clothing to the community. That’s how we began the practice of the “bundle” as it was called. We were poor. You can imagine! In the aftermath of the war there wasn’t anything. Our clothing was old and used, but we all managed to find something that could be added to the “bundle”. I remember that large pile of clothing in the middle of the room of the “little house”, ready for distribution.”

This practice that recalls the first Christian communities where: “there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need” (Acts 4:34-35), has become common practice among the Focolare communities across the world.

The inhabitants of the Focolare town of Loppiano decided to launch a similar proposal on February 8-9, 2014 for their entire territory. This would also be in response to Pope Francis’ upcoming Lenten Message in which he highlights sharing. The pope calls for a conversion: “that human conscience may be converted to justice, equality, sobriety and sharing.”

The solidarity project has been entitled Weekend For Giving. “It will be a full immersion in the culture of giving,” organisers explain, “that offers a space for sharing and making requests for materials in good and usable condition, also the bulletin board for posting needs and the “time bank” where you can put your time at the disposal of others.

The town’s meeting hall has been chosen as the gathering point. “All kinds of things have arrived: from used clothing for all ages and sizes, books, appliances, furniture, toys, house décor items,” they say.

On Sunday space was also provided for discussing and explaining the culture of giving as opposed to a culture of possessing, and how it can be applied to everyday life.

At the conclusion of the day, the Permanent Bundle Network was inaugurated as the collection and distribution point for all the donated materials. It will be a place open to solidarity and redistribution of goods to those who are in need of them.