With the pre-holidays crunch at its peak, many of us will be in a mad scramble to get the perfect gifts for our nearest and dearest. For some, however, the festive days are also a time to reach out to total strangers. If you are looking to make a donation to a worthwhile cause but aren’t sure where to send your euros, we’ve selected five charities that will put them to good use. First up is Berliner Büchertisch, a Neukölln and Kreuzberg-based initiative that gives books away for free to schools, kindergartens and social services. Since 2020, the organization has also gone mobile with the Berliner Büchertaxi, a three-wheeled vehicle that delivers books, games and puzzles directly to children’s and youth facilities in Neukölln und Kreuzberg. Also working locally is Social Inclusion Berlin, a charity for homeless and marginalized individuals that runs inclusive sports sessions such as bouldering for women and LGBTQ+ people.
Another organization that helps those facing hardship is Berliner Kältehilfe, which supports Berlin’s homeless people with food and other essentials like clothing, blankets and sleeping bags. Similarly, the Berliner Tafel supplies 400 social institutions across the city with food, helping 92,000 people every month. Finally, a particularly topical tip: Aktionsbündnis Berlin ist Kultur, a coalition of cultural institutions and artists set up in 2023 to advocate for the arts in Berlin. Under the banner #BerlinIstKultur, their regular demonstrations against cuts to cultural funding are spotlighting the importance of Berlin’s theaters, museums and arts venues. You can support the coalition’s advocacy work by making a donation (details on the website) and by signing their online petition here.
Text: Benji Haughton / Photos: Berliner Tafel, Berlin ist Kultur & Haase
Berliner Büchertisch
Social Inclusion Berlin
Berliner Kältehilfe
Berliner Tafel
Berlin ist Kultur
@berliner.buechertisch
@socialinclusionberlin
@berlinertafel
@berlinistkultur
