Giving back to Brno: A list of meaningful ways to help

One of the most rewarding ways to connect with your new home is by giving back. This guide will help you discover a few simple, meaningful ways to help, now during Christmas and all year long.

1. Donating Christmas Presents
2. Giving gifts throughout the year
3. Helping Families With Everyday Essentials
4. Supporting Ukraine Through Brno
5. Helping the Animals of Brno

Our immigration specialist Lenka Kiknadze put this list together. She’s an active contributor/volunteer in several of these organisations, and we thank her not only for this article but for being an inspiration to the team at any time of the year.

1. Bring Some Magic: Donating Christmas Presents

Donating Christmas gifts is one of the most heartwarming ways to share joy. Many donated gifts are the only presents a child receives.

Krabice od bot (Shoebox Gift Campaign)

A national tradition supporting children from disadvantaged families.

• You can donate: A shoebox filled with brand-new toys, supplies, warm accessories, or hygiene items for a specific child.
• How it works: Reserve a child’s profile online  → fill your shoebox → drop it off at a Brno collection point (selected T-Mobile stores and Medlanky Municipal Office).
• When:  24 November – 8 December,

More information krabiceodbot.cz

Andělský strom (Angel Tree)

For children whose parents are incarcerated or experiencing major hardship.

• You can donate: New gifts or financial contributions for a child’s wish list. Want to help hands-on? You can also volunteer to pack gifts.
• When: Gift deadline: 12 December. Volunteering:  6–13 December
• Where: Brno City Magistrate’s office at Dominikánské náměstí 3

More information mvs.cz/sbirka-mmb/

2. Giving gifts throughout the year

Charity shops  (Dobročinné obchody) will appreciate them. Donating here supports those who need it most and promotes reuse instead of waste. You can not only donate but purchase a gift there.

Nadace Veronica – Charity Shop Supporting Nature & Climate

• What they accept: Clothing for adults and kids, accessories, ceramics, toys, books, and small home items.
• Great to know: You can bring donations any time during the shop’s opening hours — no need to book or announce anything in advance.
• Their mission: The proceeds support activities focused on protecting nature and the climate, making this a perfect choice if you want your donations to help both the community and the planet.

More info: nadace.veronica.cz

Dobrý obchod (Dům pro Julii)

• Why it matters: The Dobročinný obchůdek is a valuable part of the activities of the children’s hospice Dům pro Julii. The entire profit from the sale of donated items goes directly to support the hospice, helping families and children who are facing incredibly difficult moments.
• You can donate: Clothes, new shoes, children’s necessities, toys, books, décor, and various household items.
• Your unused items truly transform into comfort, care, and dignity for children and their families.

More information dumprojulii.com/en/

ADRA Charity Shop Brno

• They accept quality clothing, accessories, dishes, and small household items.
• Proceeds support ADRA’s humanitarian and development projects, including help for people in crisis in the Czech Republic, disabled and the elderly.

More information adra.cz

3. Helping Families With Everyday Essentials

Donating gently used items is simple, eco-friendly, and incredibly appreciated. Many people in Brno rely on these services every month.

Vesna – Šatník Brno

A beautifully warm, community-focused nonprofit that distributes items directly to families in need.

You can donate: Clothes, shoes, bedding, kitchen items, toys — almost anything that helps a household.

Great news:

• Vesna collects donations regularly, and you do NOT need to make an appointment if you’re bringing a normal-sized donation.
  Please contact them only if you’re planning to deliver a large quantity: satnik@spolekvesna.cz
• They also organize lots of community activities, workshops, and events.
• And if you’d like to get more involved, Vesna welcomes volunteers — it’s a wonderful way to meet people and help locally.

More info: spolekvesna.cz/satnik

🔄 RE-USE Centres

Perfect for clean, functional household items that deserve a second life.

Located at city waste-collection centres (Hapalova, Jedovnická, Ukrajinská).
Donate dishes, small electronics, sports gear, toys, books, and more.

More info: www.sako.cz/sberna-strediska-odpadu

Direct Clothing Support

Městský sociální šatník – Křenová
Clean, sorted clothing for families and individuals in need. Ongoing need for warm clothes for people experiencing homelessness — especially in winter.

More information socialnipece.brno.cz

4. Supporting Ukraine Through Brno

The initiative Brno pro Ukrajinu continues to provide incredibly practical support to civilians, rescuers, and medical teams. Here’s the inspiring part: many donations are turned into small tools that literally save lives during blackouts, missile strikes and emergency evacuations.

You can donate:

• Clean, empty food cans and leftover wax → made into trench candles
• Used electronic cigarettes → transformed into power banks
• Over-the-counter pain & cold medicine
• Used medical aids → crutches, braces, orthoses (sent to field hospitals)

And why does it matter so much?

These items help people survive when the electricity is out. Trench candles provide light and heat for families hiding in shelters, power banks made from used e-cigarettes keep phones alive so people can call for help, coordinate evacuations, or receive updates during attacks.

These small items truly become lifelines. They collect donations every Tuesday from 3pm till 8 pm at Trznice Brno, you can also take part in making camouflage nets – the best networking activity ever.

More info: www.facebook.com/brnoproukrajinu

5. Helping the Animals of Brno

Útulek pro opuštěná zvířata (City Shelter, Komín)

Needs towels, blankets, bowls, leashes, collars, toys, cat litter, high-quality food, and more.

More info: www.mpb.cz/cs/utulek

Interpespenzion – Útulek Kociánka

Often caring for senior and special-needs animals.
Donations of senior food, supplements, and vet-care support are especially helpful.

More info: interpespenzion.estranky.cz

Záchranná stanice Jinačovice (Wildlife Rescue)

Helps injured and orphaned wild animals from the Brno area.
Useful donations include blankets, cleaning supplies, pet food for temporary care, and materials for building enclosures.

More info: www.facebook.com/zachrannastanicejinacovice

You’re part of Brno, and Brno is grateful for you.

Every donation, small or big, spreads warmth and kindness. Each time you drop off a bag of clothes, a toy, a blanket, or an empty can, you’re making life better for someone in your new community.

Thank you for giving back, for caring, and for helping make Brno the generous and compassionate place it is.

Feature picture credit: the City of Brno