Time to help: How to give warm shelter and food aid in Czechia this winter

As colder weather sets in, several charity initiatives across Czechia are offering ways for the public to support people struggling with homelessness and food insecurity. 

The Salvation Army’s Nocleženka campaign provides homeless individuals with warm shelter, hot meals, hygiene services, medical check-ups, and social support. Meanwhile, the national Food Collection takes place from this Saturday, with online donations having started Wednesday this week.

“The possibility of sleeping over in warmth means more than just physical survival, it brings peace, security, and the feeling that they [the homeless] are not alone in the world,” says Šárka Bauer, director of the Salvation Army's Karl Larsson Social Services Center in Prague.

The Nocleženka program allows you to buy a voucher, which acts as a donation card, that provides a homeless person with essential services for one night. Each voucher costs CZK 100, though donors can contribute more. 

Social workers distribute the vouchers, which can be used at any Salvation Army hostel across the country. Donors are notified each time their voucher is redeemed, creating a direct connection to the impact they’re making. 

“The 10th year of the Nocleženka is a big milestone for us. In nine years, we have seen that even a small donation can have a huge impact. Nocleženka is not just about a warm bed; it is a chance to regain strength and courage to start changing your life,” said Jan František Krupa, national director of social services of the Salvation Army.

The national Food Collection, organized by the Czech Federation of Food Banks with the Union of Trade and Tourism, gathers non-perishable food and basic groceries for people in need. 

You can get involved by visiting one of the approximately 2,800 participating stores (see map here) nationwide on Saturday, Nov. 9 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.), where volunteers in green aprons will help you donate items such as canned food, pasta, rice, and baby products. 

If you prefer, you can also contribute online through six participating e-shops during the two-week period starting Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Last year, the autumn collection yielded 684 tons of goods, supporting single mothers and other vulnerable households. Both campaigns demonstrate that even small contributions, a voucher or a few grocery items, can have a meaningful impact on the lives of those struggling with poverty and homelessness.