Caritas Vienna: More Aid Services Than Ever Before in Winter 2025

Since the beginning of November, the winter emergency aid of Caritas of the Archdiocese of Vienna has been in full operation. Despite largely mild temperatures, the demand for help remained consistently high. Now Caritas is taking stock of the winter: "Even in this winter season, our goal was clear from the start: No one should have to freeze to death on the streets of Vienna. Especially for homeless people, the cold season is particularly harsh, even mild temperatures can be dangerous when staying outdoors. We are all the more grateful that we have achieved this goal again this winter - in cooperation with other aid organizations and the city of Vienna, the Vienna Social Fund, but above all thanks to the tremendous support of thousands of donors and together with more than 1,300 volunteers who were and still are engaged during the winter months at the Caritas cold phone, in the warming rooms, and in many other places," says Caritas director Klaus Schwertner.

Nearly 10,000 Calls to the Caritas Cold Phone in Vienna and Daily Streetwork Deployment

From November to the end of April, the Caritas cold phone in Vienna is reachable at 01/480 45 53 seven days a week, around the clock. Over 9,920 times, callers in the federal capital alone have dialed the number of the cold phone since the beginning of November until today, with 90 volunteers taking the calls. "The willingness to help homeless people was overwhelming again this winter. A heartfelt thank you to the people of Vienna, all the callers, and our streetwork teams who are out every day. Together, we managed to refer over 400 acutely homeless people to a warm emergency shelter in Vienna and provide hundreds of people with winter-proof sleeping bags, warm clothing, and blankets," says Schwertner. "We would also like to especially thank all the donors who actively supported us in our call for a new cold bus. This allows us to replace the aging bus and continue to reliably bring help to the people."

36,000 Meals in the Vienna Gruft - 20,500 Visits in the 42 Warming Rooms

In the homeless facility "Gruft" alone, around 36,000 meals have been distributed to homeless people since the beginning of November, and they have been offered a warm bed over 8,200 times. The occupancy in other Caritas emergency shelters was also consistently high this winter - around 650 people were cared for here.

A lot of help was also provided in the parishes of the Archdiocese of Vienna. More than 1,000 volunteers looked after the guests in the 42 warming rooms, which were opened jointly by parishes and Caritas until the end of March. On a total of 315 opening days, around 20,500 visits were counted here. The warming rooms are visited by both homeless people and those who have a home but no longer have the financial means to heat it adequately. Interest in the three women's warming rooms was also particularly high again this winter - with over 600 visits, women were provided with small meals and warm rooms. "Without the commitment of our parishes, this city and this country would be significantly colder. The help that often happens here very unnoticed and without much attention makes a difference, it makes an important difference and it gives many people courage, hope, and a way out of the loneliness that burdens many guests," emphasized Schwertner.

More than 39,000 Soups from the Canisibus - 2,245 Treatments in the Louisebus

More and more people affected by poverty are coming to the Caritas soup bus - the Canisibus -, which has been on the road in Vienna every evening for over 30 years. In recent months, around 39,000 warm meals have been prepared by the 180 volunteer helpers and distributed at various stations in Vienna. Additionally, the medical services of the Louisebus, which provides medical care to people without health insurance, were well utilized again during the winter months. The 15 volunteer doctors and 18 assistants conducted 2,245 treatments and were able to care for a total of 933 people. "This help, which we often succeed in providing because thousands of people volunteer in countless Caritas projects, is indispensable. At this point, I would like to thank all the people involved for the countless hours of help and commitment," says Schwertner.

After the end of the winter emergency aid at the end of April, the various aid offers from Caritas continue in summer mode. "The winter is over. Our help continues," said Schwertner. "Just as the cold in winter, the heat in summer is becoming increasingly dangerous for homeless people due to the climate crisis, and homelessness exists 365 days a year - so does our help."

Donation Opportunity:

Support for homeless people is still urgently needed.

In the Caritas wirhelfen.shop, help is easily available online:

- With 2.80 euros, you provide a warm soup for people in need

- With 20 euros, you support medical care for homeless people

- With 70 euros, you provide a sleeping bag and seven warm meals

(Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.