Help on the doorstep: Caritas collection starts in Salzburg!

Help on the doorstep: Caritas collection starts in Salzburg!

This year, Caritas in Salzburg is entering a crucial phase with its in-house collection. Volunteer collectors will be out and about collecting funds for people in need in the region until the end of March. In total, 40 percent of the donations stay in the parish where they are collected, which, according to Caritas director Kurt Sonneck, is particularly important in order to provide direct emergency aid. The rest goes into important social projects, which are essential especially in times of rising living costs. “We assume that social advice will increase again this year,” says Sonneck. Inflation is hitting many households, which now have to contend with higher heating and energy costs. Many people also rely on cars to get to work, and these costs are often not taken into account.

Special collection campaign

A new feature this year is an additional collection project on the Schranne at Mirabellplatz, which will take place on March 27, 2025. On this day, the Caritas team will be on site from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is looking for volunteers to hand out information material and accept donations. Those interested can register at voluntary work(at)caritas-salzburg.at. This campaign will not only enable donations for the region, but also contribute to raising awareness about the help Caritas offers, such as caritas-salzburg.at reported. Through the support of the volunteers, it is expected that even more people will find out about the help offers and be able to receive help.

The urgency of the situation is palpable for Caritas, especially in areas like the Innergebirge, where anonymity is often a problem. In many cases, those affected are reluctant to seek help. “The individual situation of those seeking help depends heavily on the geographical location,” explains Renate Stromminger, the head of Caritas Pongau. An interplay of personal and structural challenges means that many households need support, which Karitas tries to alleviate through its annual home collection. The upcoming collection not only promises help, but also promotes exchange and awareness of the existing need.