Caritas Thessaloniki
Caritas Thessaloniki started its activity in 2007. Eleven years later (2016) it redefined its actions in order to implement its charity work throughout Northern Greece, acting as an instrument of the Apostolic Vicariate of Thessaloniki. Since then, it is a recognized Non-Profit Charitable Association with 50 volunteers and is governed by a Board of Directors with elected members.
Its main activities include:
-Distribution of food and clothing
-Aid to refugees since the beginning of the refugee crisis, in 2015, until today, with the distribution of aid both at the border (Eidomeni) and in the city of Thessaloniki
– Free breast cancer screening to vulnerable women
-Visits to state prisons and assistance to the most vulnerable prisoners
-Cooperation with the Missionaries of Charity (Sisters of Mother Theresa of Kolkata) providing food for the abused women they shelter and for the kitchen soup for the destitute people, organized every summer
-Implementation of a program to support Roma children, 20 families, with tutoring, creative activities and counseling
-Blood Bank operation
To implement the above activities and programs, it cooperates with Caritas Hellas, Catholic Relief Services (C.R.S.), Caritas Italiana, Stavros Niarchos Foundation and other NGOs in Thessaloniki, with Greek firms and supermarkets.
“SAINT VINCENT”
In Thessaloniki, is also active a small group under the name “Saint Vincent”, which consists of five volunteers who distribute food to approximately 15 vulnerable families every month.
MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY
The Missionaries of Charity (Sisters of Mother Theresa of Kolkata) offer a huge service in Thessaloniki. They operate the Hospitality Center for Abused Women and their children (40 individuals in total), the only center of its kind in the city.
It also hosts refugee women with their children who are offered shelter, food and assistance until they have completed all necessary paperwork to start their lives anew. Additionally, they provide food to the destitute people of Thessaloniki, especially during the period of summer vacations, when all soup kitchens are closed.