Austria, 2023 – 2024
Over the last years, Know Thyself as Soul Vienna has started working together with a person, on a regular basis, who for decades has offered daily help to the homeless people at the Praterstern railway station in Vienna. We help to cook for these people at the Praterstern once a month.
Volunteers cook the meals in the Know Thyself as Soul Vienna center. On this occasion we prepared soya strips with red cabbage, potatoes and salad and for dessert rice pudding with roasted plums. We also prepared sandwiches with cheese, lettuce, cucumber, and homemade mayonnaise, which we wrapped up for people for the next day. A variety of companies support us by donating food, such as soy and seitan. The preparation of this particular meal required 1.5 kg of soya, 5 kg of red cabbage, and 12 kg of potatoes for the main course.
There was a great amount of joy in preparing the food, it was felt by all who participated in making this project a reality. Once the meals are prepared, they are delivered ready for distribution. We received feedback that the food tasted great and some people came back several times to have their plates refilled. The sandwiches were gone in no time. Upon receiving a meal, one man exclaimed, “The food is made with love!”
Additionally, twice a year we provide a bulk donation of basic groceries and disposable tableware as well as donating bags with personal care products.
The wholesaler and staff where we shop for the bulk purchase and personal care products are very friendly. The last time we shopped, they went out of their way to help us find the products when they heard that we were a charitable organization. We filled the bags with personal care products such as shower gel, toothpaste, toothbrushes, disposable razors, and cleaning wipes. We found a deep joy in doing something for people we didn’t even know. In December, we included a greeting card, which said in different languages: “With love from all the heart”. When these bags were handed out they were gratefully received. The people were amazed and delighted that they had been given a present.
