Restaurants raise record breaking 300,000 PLN to help those in need
A group of café and restaurant owners from around Poland, and one from Luxembourg, have raised a record breaking 300,000zł to help people who are going hungry.
Announcing the results last week, the annual ‘Pajacyk (Puppet) Christmas Table’ collection, which is organized by ‘Polish Humanitarian Action’, saw restaurants and cafes donate 10 percent of their income for a day, with some even donating for a whole weekend, to help feed underprivileged children in Poland and the developing world.
This year online food portal Pyszne.pl (Tasty) also took part in the collection and together with over 130 other contributors raised a record breaking amount that was just over 300,000 PLN.
The altruistic businesses donated 10 percent of their earnings to help feed underprivileged children in Poland and the developing world.
The money raised will help fund over 10,000 free meals for children in Poland as well as helping out those suffering from famine and food insecurity in countries like Yemen, South Sudan and Somalia.
Anna Zubala, Business Partnership Specialist for Polish Humanitarian Action, said: “Interestingly, last year, despite all the adversities, we organized the ‘Pajacyk Christmas Table’, an action that we have been running for over a dozen years with the support of restaurants that donate 10 percent of their daily income for meals for children.
“We also wish all the restaurants that cannot be with us in this year due to the difficult situation caused by COVID and lockdown, to withstand current challenges. The final results combined with the donations for members of the Pyszne portal made it a record breaking year. ”
The money raised will help fund over 10,000 free meals for children in Poland as well as helping out those suffering from famine and flooding in South Sudan and Somalia.
The humanitarian organization which was founded in 1992 is active in South Sudan, Iraq, Ukraine, Kenya, Yemen, Somalia, Lebanon and Poland help provide food, water, healthcare and shelter to those in need.
Since 1998 the charity has helped cover the expenses of over 9.5 million meals in Polish schools.
In Luxembourg the sole business from outside of Poland who donated, Ancien Cinéma Café-Club, is managed by Maciej Karczewski.
They were forced to collect earlier than usually due to an impending lockdown.
Anna Zubala, Business Partnership Specialist for Polish Humanitarian Action said: “The final results combined with the donations for members of the Pyszne portal made it a record breaking year.”
Now, other industries are looking to get involved.
Zubala said: “Radek Kotarski's Altenberg publishing house sponsors one meal for children from each copy of the book sold as part of the Pajacyk program. When this business grows and grows impressively, we get more donations and fund more meals.”
The organization have also been able to expand the programme to provide support for those affected by COVID lockdowns.
Zubala said: “When the schools closed, the children who were using the lunches which were subsidized were suddenly left without meals.
Since 1998 the charity has helped cover the expenses of over 9.5 million meals in Polish schools.
“In fact, in two weeks we organized the ‘Pajacyk Bez Przerwy’ (Pajacyk without break) campaign, in which the Auchan network helped us a lot.
“With the involvement of many people of good will, we delivered over 1,600 baby food packages to children and their families . Currently, the action is coordinated at the local level.
“As first-graders go to school, the canteens are back in operation. In some schools meals are delivered directly to children, in others they can be picked up or eaten on site.”
Anybody who would like to donate directly can do so via the dedicated website: www.pajacyk.pl.
