The cost of a walk-in centre
We’re able to cover a significant portion of our fixed costs—such as rent and personnel expenses—with the municipal subsidy we receive. However, there’s still a great deal left over that we can’t cover with the subsidy. We have to make ends meet with donations. For example, we are completely dependent on donations from supporters to purchase food, equipment, and all other necessary supplies. The same goes for maintaining the restroom facilities.
€5 per month: 1 pair of socks + 1 pair of underwear for a homeless person
With clean, dry clothes, you can handle more
Homeless people spend a lot of time outdoors, where it’s often cold and wet. So how wonderful is it to be able to take a warm shower at a walk-in centre and put on clean, dry clothes? Being able to freshen up boosts your self-esteem, as visitor Yassine agrees: “When I’m wearing clean clothes, I’m more likely to go out and do things, and I don’t feel self-conscious. If I haven’t been able to shower or change, I sometimes end up skipping an appointment. The walk-in centre provides the most basic necessities that make you feel at home: staying warm, drinking coffee, taking a shower, and changing clothes.” We receive a lot of good-quality clothing donations, but very few socks and underwear, even though these are always desperately needed.
