Prague will once again hold its traditional Mayor’s Advent Collection, inviting residents, institutions and companies to help people facing hardship. This year’s charity drive takes place on Thursday on Mariánské náměstí.
The City of Prague, working in partnership with the Food Bank for Prague and the Central Bohemian Region, will hold its traditional Mayor’s Advent Collection on Thursday, 11 December 2025. The event will take place on Mariánské náměstí in front of the New City Hall, offering the public, institutions and companies an opportunity to help people facing hardship. Donors are encouraged to give basic long-life food items, toiletries or even pet supplies. The collection will run from 9 am to 5 pm, and financial contributions can also be made via a QR code.
This longstanding charity event brings together senior city officials, employees of the Prague City Hall and municipal organisations, embassy representatives, businesses and, crucially, the general public.
“Every year, the Advent Collection shows Prague at its best. We come together to help those who face an especially difficult time before Christmas. I am grateful to everyone who donates food, toiletries or financial support. It’s a simple gesture that gives many residents reassurance that their city has not forgotten them,” said Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda.
Deputy Mayor for Social Affairs and Healthcare Alexandra Udženija added: “For me, this collection is a reminder of the extraordinary solidarity in our city. It always lifts my spirits to see how many people take part — city employees, charities, companies and many others who want to support those in need. I truly appreciate it. I believe we will once again help seniors, single parents, vulnerable families and their pets. These moments define Advent — a time when we look out for each other and when even small acts of kindness can spark something much bigger.”
This year marks the sixth edition of the Mayor’s Advent Collection. Last year’s event raised a total of 2,684 kilograms of food and toiletries — roughly 700 kilograms more than in 2023. The collection supports people in Prague and the Central Bohemian Region who are struggling, including seniors living on the poverty line, single parents and those without a home.
The most helpful donations are long-life food and essential toiletries. Particularly welcome are tinned goods, rice and pulses, long-life milk, oil, soups, baby food and basic or children’s hygiene products. The Food Bank distributes the collected goods to charities supporting vulnerable people, and to individuals recommended by employment offices, social departments and other institutions.
Donations benefit not only residents in need but also animals — many seniors cannot afford quality food for their pets, who are often their only companions. Larger bags of pet food, which older people may struggle to carry, are passed on to shelters and other facilities caring for animals.
Those wishing to contribute financially may do so via QR code or through the transparent municipal account, even after the main collection day has ended.
