Help restaurants feed the homeless in Prague this weekend and beyond

Today, Oct. 10, marks World Homeless Day; an observance especially relevant in Czechia, which has the highest number of homeless people living on the streets per capita of any OECD country, according to a 2025 report.

FriendShip Prague, a non-profit, English-speaking organization that connects volunteers with the homeless, is spotlighting the problem with an event this weekend. Its aim is not only to raise awareness of homelessness, but to give people the chance to pitch in and help those most in need.

Its Open Door event, taking place Sat. Oct. 11, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Náměstí Winstona Churchilla, is free and requires no registration. FriendShip says that attendees can “meet volunteers, our homeless friends, and learn more about how to get involved.”

Collaborating with popular eateries in Prague like Artic Bakehouse, La Finestra in Cucina, and Aromi, the event will also provide hot meals for the homeless this Saturday. 

Established in 2021, the organization conducts weekly food and clothing distributions, organizes social events, and offers personalized support to help restore dignity and facilitate reintegration into the community. You can donate to the charity here.

Speaking to Expats.cz FriendShip media relations head Stacy Eckstein spoke about how the capital could improve the current situation. “We believe the City of Prague could work more closely with social service organizations, as well as community groups like FriendShip Prague,” Eckstein noted. 

The organization notes that homelessness affects multiple aspects of a person’s well-being, and says that initiatives like the Open Door event aim to increase public understanding of these issues while providing direct support.

Earlier this year, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published a damning report: Czechia has the highest number of homeless people living on the streets per capita of any OECD country. The country also has the third-highest number of people living in temporary shelters or hostels.

Prague’s Institute of Planning and Development estimates that 18 percent of Czechia’s homeless are in Prague. This means that about 5,000 people are without a permanent roof—though, given tallying issues, the real number is likely much higher. 

For people currently hit by homelessness (or those at risk), Eckstein affirms to us that help is out there:

“Please don’t give up: there are places and people who care, from Naděje and Armáda spásy, to us at FriendShip Prague. Come talk to us, share a meal, and know you are not alone; every story deserves a new beginning.”

According to global estimates, over 150 million people worldwide are homeless, and many more live without adequate or safe housing.

To learn more about FriendShip Prague, visit its web page, Instagram and Facebook profiles. To sign up as a volunteer, click here.