Caritas Poland and the Warsaw City Fire Brigade premiered the eleventh edition of the “A Little Warmth for the Homeless” campaign this month, distributing food, blankets, and hot meals to people in crisis.
Campaign Launch
The eleventh edition of the “A Little Warmth for the Homeless” campaign began at a press conference that brought together city officials, social activists, entrepreneurs, and volunteers.
Community Call to Action
During the meeting, organizers repeatedly urged Warsaw residents to call emergency numbers if they encounter someone who may be in a crisis situation, emphasizing that a single call can save a life.
Logistics of Support
In earlier editions, the campaign distributed 3,200 liters of soup, 5,000 cans of food, several hundred loaves of bread, 150 blankets, and 700 pairs of wool socks.
Over 100 such locations exist, hosting about 290 individuals. Sixty‑nine sites agreed to receive hot meals twice a week from patrols.
City Resources
Warsaw operates 14 shelters, 2 lodging houses, 4 heating stations with accommodation functions, 5 canteens that serve over 2,000 meals daily, public washrooms, street workers in each district, and a dedicated bus that transports homeless people to help centres.
Voices from the Field
Aldona Machnowska‑Góra, deputy mayor, praised Warsaw’s solidarity, insisting that one phone call can save lives. Małgorzata Jarosz‑Jarszewska of Caritas highlighted the organization’s role in preparing soup and other supplies, noting a new partnership with Animex for meat and cold cuts.
Zbigniew Włodarczyk, acting commander of the Warsaw City Fire Brigade, highlighted daily patrols that support residents with food, words of encouragement, and hope. Daniel Żołędowski, a medical rescue officer, explained the brigade’s decade‑long street patrol that delivers first aid and guides people to clinics.
Impact and Legacy
The campaign is more than food distribution; it is a gesture of solidarity, a reminder of every human’s dignity, and a call for open hearts. Through collaboration between institutions, organizations, and citizens, Warsaw demonstrates that real change is possible, especially in the toughest winter months.
