The Caritas warming room at Bundesplatz in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf has been in existence for 30 years. There, during the winter months, those in need can get a warm meal, tea or coffee free of charge every day, exchange ideas with others and warm up.
Places like this counteract loneliness and at the same time create warmth and encounters, said Senator for Social Affairs Katja Kipping (left) on Monday. This winter, the Senate also launched the so-called “Warmth Network”.
“We would like to see a lot more of these warming rooms,” said Ann-Kathrin Biewener, Vice President of the SPD parliamentary group in the House of Representatives. “I think we need a lot more of that because the need is getting bigger.”
The warming room at Bundesplatz has existed since 1992. In addition to warm food and drinks, clothing donations are also available there. Sleeping bags are also given out.
About 100 people come a day, reported director Angelika Kaljic. The warming room is open from December to March. Demand has increased steadily in recent years. Many men, around the age of 50 on average, use the facility, such as the homeless or pensioners with little money. Refugees are hardly among them.
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