Collecting food. Returning dignity – support Warsaw Food Bank

"I loved my job. I made furniture. I did sculpture. I lived a life of dignity and thought it would always be that way. Until one day fate decided to give me a gift. A gift that I didn't want, that I didn't ask for. In the evening I was sitting at the computer, working. And then he came - a stroke. It took everything away from me. From that moment on, nothing is like it used to be. The days that came were a struggle to speak, to walk. I succeeded, but today I'm not fit for work. I have a pension, 1155 zloty. How am I supposed to live on that?"

Since 1994 Warsaw Food Bank SOS has been the last resort for all those who do not have enough to eat. They are helping 56,000 people monthly. Among Warsaw Food Bank beneficiaries are various groups from the underserved community - the lonely, the elderly, people with special needs and disabilities, families with many children, and single parents.
They obtain food from producers, farmers, distributors, and retail chains for them. They also run food collections in supermarkets as an additional support during Holidays.

In our own words:
“We know that food is essential for survival. By giving people food we also give them a sense of security, hope for survival, and give them back their dignity.
Over the years we have donated over 84,000,000 kilograms of food. In 2021 alone, we donated 4.5 million kilograms of food. We help thousands of people in need. We know how to do it.”

About Warsaw Food Bank (Bank Żywności SOS w Warszawie):
This foundation was set up by Jacek Kuroń, one of the best-known personalities from Polish democratic opposition in 1970’. At the time of founding the organization was called the Social Aid SOS. Among other actions they have cooked and distributed meals to the poor (“zupy kuroniówki”). After the death of the founder the foundation has changed the name into Bank Żywności SOS w Warszawie (Warsaw Food Bank). Currently the Foundation team consists of 11 people.

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