On Saturday, November 8, more than 2,800 retail stores across the Czech Republic will take part in the national food collection, a major increase from last year’s 2,250.
The event, organized by the Czech Federation of Food Banks and the Czech Trade and Tourism Association, will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Donations will include non-perishable food and personal hygiene items, which will later be distributed to families and individuals in need. Starting Tuesday, people can also contribute through six online retailers, where the food collection will continue for two weeks.
Organizers say the number of participating outlets has been steadily growing, showing greater public involvement each year. When the initiative began in 2013, donations could be made at 750 stores. That number rose to 1,050 in 2021, 1,470 in 2022, and 2,000 in 2023. Online platforms now account for about 15% of all collected goods.
During last year’s autumn round, 684 tons of food and hygiene products were gathered—34 tons less than the previous year. According to organizers, the lower figure may have resulted from earlier donations made in September, when the public responded to flood relief efforts. The food collection takes place twice a year, in spring and autumn.
Aleš Slavíček, Chairman of the Czech Federation of Food Banks, noted that the two annual collections together provide about 10% of the non-perishable food needed each year by Czech food banks. “Many people in our society still struggle to put food on the table,” Slavíček said at a press conference in Prague. “The food collection is a simple way for anyone to help those who are facing difficult times.”
The federation recommends donating canned food, baby food, soups, powdered milk, butter, rice, legumes, pasta, and personal care products.
A large portion of the donations goes to single mothers, who are among the most frequent recipients of food bank assistance.
