Noble Parcel. How to help those in need?

An elderly woman living in extreme poverty placed candle inserts on a table in the evenings and thus heated her house. Little Kuba is called “caveman” at school because his single mother cannot afford a refrigerator and keeps food on the balcony. – Each selected family erases such a terrible word – said Konrad Kruczkowski, co-organizer of Szlachetna Paczka and vice-president of the Wiosna Association, on TVN24. There are thousands of such stories.

In Saturday's “You Get Up and the Weekend” Konrad Kruczkowski stated that this year there are more families in need than in previous years. – For all of us, this year, as well as the previous few years, (…) is very difficult – he admitted.

He calculated that another 3,500 families need help. He admitted that he would not like it if during the “Weekend of Miracles” (December 14 and 15) any family had to hear that there was no help for them.

The Wiosna Association publishes the “Poverty Report” every year in November. It describes the stories of poor families, as well as analyzes and data about poverty in our country. From the latest report shows that in 2023, the average income of a family member included in the Szlachetna Paczka, after deducting the costs of maintaining the apartment and purchasing medicines, was approximately PLN 533 per month. That's less than PLN 18 a day. The data quoted in the report include: ZUS, CBOS, GUS and Eurostat show that almost 2.5 million people in Poland in 2023 lived in extreme poverty, and such people have on average PLN 29.25 to survive for one day. The extent of extreme poverty has increased significantly from 4.6%. up to 6.6 percent and thus covered another 800,000. people.

At school he heard that he was a “caveman”

– In Szlachetna Paczka, this is one of the saddest days when we publish the “Poverty Report”. In 2023, two and a half million people lived in extreme poverty. That is, in a situation that basically threatens their health. Half a million are children. In Poland, half a million children found themselves in such a situation through no fault of their own, Kruczkowski said.

He also gave the example of little Kuba, who a few days ago at his school heard from his peers that “he is a caveman.”

– But he also heard that if nothing changes, he and his younger brother will probably end up in an orphanage. He heard this because someone found out that his mother kept food on the balcony, not inside. Because they don't have a refrigerator. Kuba also has old shoes, old sneakers, and even though he likes to play football, he does not appear at the Orlik. He is ashamed to come to PE – added Kruczkowski. Mom raises Kuba and his brother alone.

Konrad Kruczkowski encouraged people to visit the website noblepaczka.plto choose a family to help. – Every selected family would like to erase such a terrible word (like “caveman” – ed.) from their hearts, and we ask that – he appealed.

Yellow cheese scraps for dinner, candle inserts for heating

Another touching story is the story of one of the people in need who has been taking care of her disabled husband for many years. She can't work on her own because she has to take care of him. He goes to the dairy section of the store to get some yellow cheese offcuts, where he buys as much as he can. Then he cooks them to soften them and make it the only meal of the day.

The guest of “You get up and the weekend” also recalled the story of an older woman from a few years ago. – She warmed the house with candles. Because she could get candles from a friendly shop at a very cheap price, and not even candles, but plastic candle inserts. So in the evening, she placed two or three such cartridges on the table, lit them and warmed her hands. This is a semblance of warmth, but Szlachetna Paczka can really provide real warmth. Not even Noble Paczka, but the state if they get involved in Noble Paczka – he said.

Konrad Kruczkowski added, however, that if someone cannot become a donor, they can help by publishing the Szlachetna Paczka appeal, e.g. on their social media.

Szlachetna Paczka is an initiative thanks to which the poorest and most needy can receive their dream gifts before Christmas. And these are most often necessities, such as clothing, shoes or food.

“You can choose a family only until Friday, December 13. Don't wait – there is a shortage of donors throughout Poland. It is easiest to prepare a package in a group: in a company, at school, with family or friends. The most important thing is that all families in need find their donors, so that your wise the help gave them a sense of relief in these difficult times,” the organizers encourage people to help.

80 percent of volunteers are women

– Every year, Szlachetna Paczka gathers 14,000 volunteers in over 650 places in the country – emphasized Joanna Sadzik, president of the Wiosna Association. She pointed out that 50 percent of them are over 30 years old. She noted that the volunteers include people of different ages and education levels. As many as 80 percent are women.

She pointed out that the greatest advantage of volunteering is not only serving those in need, but also the opportunity for personal development – including, for example, interpersonal and management skills. – You can be a logistician, a trainer, conduct training, contact the media, organize events, or be responsible for legal matters – she listed the options.

To become a volunteer in Szlachetna Paczka you must be over 17 years old, have time and be well organized. – Just one hour a week can change someone's life – concluded Sadzik.