Caritas Offenbach provides winter aid: the conference room becomes a place to sleep!

Caritas Offenbach provides winter aid: the conference room becomes a place to sleep!

An urgent measure to support the homeless was implemented at the Caritashaus St. Josef in Offenbach. Since December 9th, people in need have been able to stay overnight in a converted conference room. This initiative will continue until March 31, 2025 to provide protection from the extreme winter temperatures. The need for this measure arose because this year there is no regular overnight accommodation for homeless people due to a new building by the Diakonie Offenbach on Gerberstrasse rheinmainverlag.de as well as of-news.de report.

The new sleeping area can accommodate up to twelve people, who are looked after by a security service. Check-in begins at 7 p.m. and guests must vacate the room by 7 a.m. the next morning. The city of Offenbach is taking over the financing of the external aid services, which Caritas welcomes: “We are glad that we have found a solution,” said the management of the Caritas house. This initiative ensures that no homeless people are left behind in the bitter cold. Caritas is also asking for donations of sleeping bags and sleeping mats, which can be dropped off at its headquarters at Kaiserstrasse 69.

Joint commitment to those in need

The quick reaction of Caritas Offenbach shows how important solidarity is in the cold season. Anette Bacher from the Caritas Association summed up the motivation clearly: “The thought that someone might freeze to death and we were sitting in such a big house in the middle of the city would not have allowed us to sleep peacefully.” Help is also sought from volunteer supporters who can help on weekends and public holidays. Caritas offers a vital contact point for homeless people and sets an example for shared responsibility in society.