Successful fundraising campaign for people at risk of poverty.

From left to right: Andrea Schmid (Director of Caritas Salzburg), Kristina Widerin (Social Worker at Haus Elisabeth), and Christian Freischlager (Member of the Management Board of dm Austria) at the dm check presentation for €19,000 in front of Haus Elisabeth. © dm/Wolfgang Lienbacher

When many people work together, great things happen: Thanks to the generosity of dm customers, an impressive €467,210 was raised last Advent. This provided support to 37 social institutions across Austria – and around 2,000 people experiencing poverty and homelessness enjoyed a festive three-course organic meal full of warmth and community during the often difficult pre-Christmas period.

Support beyond Christmas


A total of 93,442 dm customers participated in the fundraising campaign. The proceeds were used to purchase fresh organic ingredients such as meat and seasonal vegetables, while dm donated products from its own product range. In collaboration with BIO AUSTRIA, the food was sourced from regional organic farmers.
The remaining €450,000 went directly to the 37 participating social institutions throughout Austria. This means that people affected by poverty benefit not only from the "dm Festive Meal" during Advent, but also in their everyday lives in the long term.

"Given the rising cost of living, the demand for support is higher than ever," emphasizes Harald Bauer, Chairman of the dm Management Board. "This makes the extraordinarily high donation amount all the more valuable, enabling us to help people well beyond the Christmas season."

Social benefits of the projects


The organizations supported with the donations focus on very different but equally valuable areas: from housing and employment projects to cultural participation, security of supply, and other social initiatives. All make a valuable contribution in their own way and pursue the same goal: to create services that help people affected by poverty integrate into society as best as possible and support them in their daily lives.
Some inspiring examples that were made possible thanks to the “dm Festessen” donations:


VinziRast am Land (Alland/Lower Austria) – Formerly homeless people live and work together, grow vegetables, and develop new perspectives on life. The Art4Help / Help4Art project facilitates participation in art through creative workshops and exhibitions. Residents in challenging life situations can develop individually within this framework and emerge stronger as a result.


Caritas Haus Elisabeth (City of Salzburg) – A facility that offers counseling, care, and support for people in existential emergencies. Thanks to the donation from dm, integrative programs such as a spring festival and ongoing support for reintegration into society can be expanded.


Pannonische Tafel (Oberpullendorf, Burgenland) – Regional food aid for people and families affected by poverty. Donations are used primarily to secure the organization's general survival and expand the range of meeting spaces.


Caritas Climate Oases (Vienna) – Green urban spaces that facilitate encounters and actively combat urban heat islands. These climate oases attracted a particularly diverse audience on hot summer days in the summer of 2025: from elderly, often lonely people, some of whom live in poorly insulated apartments, to those affected by poverty and the homeless, who found refuge in the facilities.


"These organizations demonstrate with their work how diverse and valuable help can be – from housing projects to cultural participation. We are delighted that we have been able to achieve so much together with our clients. And the best part: Our initiative continues. In December 2025, we invite you again to support people in difficult life situations with a donation – during the Christmas season and beyond," says Harald Bauer.