Salvation Army sees increase in demand for services as temperatures fall
The Salvation Army in Czechia operates year round, providing various services to those experiencing homelessness in the country. Since the colder temperatures have started this week, the organization is expecting an increase in demand from its clients, as director of social services at the Salvation Army Jitka Klánová explained to me.
“Even though this year has been considerably warmer than last season, we can see that our services are in high demand. For example, last month at our day centre in Prague, we had between 150 and 160 visitors every day. Now in November that the temperatures have dropped, we see that every day we provide services for 200 to 230 people, so the numbers are rising, and the temperatures have not even dropped below zero.”
Not necessarily in relation to the falling temperatures, but have you noticed an overall increase in demand for your services year round?
“Yes, and this trend started with the Covid-19 pandemic. Before Covid, we always saw a considerable drop in demand during the summer months. But starting in 2020, even in the summer months when the weather is nice, the demand for our services did not drop. We can see that people are really in need of help, regardless of the weather.”
Of course with colder temperatures, it puts people who are unhoused in an even more precarious position. Is there anything extra the Salvation Army is doing to mitigate those challenges?
“As you said, cold temperatures can be deadly for homeless people. For the eighth year in a row, we are doing a project called ‘Night Voucher’, where people can buy a voucher that will be used by our clients. One voucher covers a night’s sleep, a shower, and dinner in our facilities. You can by these vouchers online.
“Because our donors have been very generous throughout this campaign, last season we were able to provide our night hostels for free. So when the temperatures are low, no one is staying outside because they don’t have money.
“Another project we have during the winter months is called ‘Warm Chair’, if the temperatures are low and all of our beds are occupied in the hostels, we then open our day centres during the night so people can stay inside and be warm.”
Are you seeing the most concentration of folks needing help in Prague? Or is there an increase in demand throughout the country?
“Prague as the capital has the biggest homeless population in Czechia, but we are providing our services in other towns and cities throughout the country. Our night hostels that are operating for free throughout the winter are in Prague, Brno, Karlovy Vary, Ostrava, Krnov, Opava, Šumperk, Jirkov, and Havířov. So we are based in Prague, northern Bohemia and northern Moravia I would say.”
