Autumn food drive begins at Czech supermarkets

The Czech Republic's autumn food drive is runs from 8:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. at more than 1,400 supermarkets and other locations across the country today. Shoppers can donate food items and other goods for those in need to volunteers working with the local charity Sbírka potravin (Food Drive) at each location.

A full list of participating locations can be found at the food drive's official website. If you can't make it out to the supermarket today, you can also donate online through November 22 at Czech e-shops including Košík.cz, Rohlík.cz and iTesco.

Long-lasting food items donated through the food drive are sent to the Czech Republic's network of food banks. From there, they are distributed to homes for the elderly, orphanages, charities assisting families in need and the disabled, and other organizations that support the needy.

This year has seen a large increase in the number of people that receive assistance from the Czech Republic's food banks. According to Veronika Láchová, director of the Czech Federation of Food Banks, 270,000 people have received items from food banks so far this year, an increase of 70,000 people compared to 2021.

Potentially due to inflation and other economic effects, however, the spring food drive held earlier this year saw a decrease in the number of items donated compared to previous years. A total of 431 tons of goods were donated at the spring food drive, down about 19 tons from the previous year.

What items are most needed this autumn? Organizers of the food drive are specifically requesting donations of long-lasting (UHT) milk, baby food, legumes, rice, pasta, flour, and drugstore items for children including diapers and other needs.

Participating supermarkets during the autumn food drive in the Czech Republic include large chains such as Lidl, Kaufland, Albert, Billa, Globus, Tesco, Penny, Makro, and many others; you can find an interactive map of places to make a donation today here, or donate online through November 22.

The first Czech food bank was established in 2006, and the country has been organizing food drives since 2013. The Federation of Food Banks, in cooperation with the country's Trade and Tourism Association, now operates a twice-yearly food drives in the spring and autumn.