Klagenfurt: Caritas starts a large school supplies collection campaign!

Klagenfurt: Caritas starts a large school supplies collection campaign!

On July 2, 2025, Caritas Carinthia launched a call for donations to support families at risk of poverty, especially in the period before school starts. On the occasion of the upcoming summer holidays, well-preserved school items of all kinds are being collected in Klagenfurt in order to offer children a better starting point at school. In Villach, however, the campaign under the motto “Monster Bag” focuses exclusively on collecting school bags and school backpacks. This initiative aims to give parents a hand and ensure that their children can start the new school year well equipped. According to Klick Kärnten, donations can be made in Klagenfurt from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The central donation acceptance point is at Adolf-Kolping-Gasse 6 in Klagenfurt.

The items collected cover a wide range including kindergarten bags, notebooks, pens, fountain pens, rulers, gym bags and scissors. These must be in good condition so that they can continue to be used. Mario Slamanig from Caritas Carinthia emphasizes the importance of this campaign for education and poverty prevention, as supporting children in need is an essential measure for their future.

The global dimension of child poverty

The challenges of child poverty are important not just locally but globally. According to Caritas Austria, every second person who lives in extreme poverty actually lives as a child. Of the approximately 900 million people living in extreme poverty, 47% are under the age of 18. These alarming figures reflect the reality that many children, particularly in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, are forced to live in conditions that significantly jeopardize their chances of survival and future prospects.

The statistics are equally depressing: almost 50 million children worldwide have left their homes due to violence and conflict. Every year, 5.9 million children die from preventable diseases before they reach their fifth birthday. This shows how urgent measures are needed to combat child poverty and alleviate their suffering.

The situation in Germany

The situation is no easier in Germany, where, according to DKHW, one in five children is affected by poverty. Here too, child poverty has stagnated at a high level for almost two decades. The main reasons for the persistently high rate are parental unemployment and the increasing number of full-time employees whose income is only slightly above the social welfare rate. Single parents and families with large children are particularly affected, as they often rely on citizens' money to support themselves.

The rising cost of living due to inflation further exacerbates the situation. There is an urgent need to strengthen support measures to help affected families and ensure equal opportunities for children.

In view of these challenges, Caritas Carinthia's fundraising campaign is a first step towards alleviating at least some of the suffering and providing support to the affected families in Carinthia. Further information is available on the Caritas Carinthia website.