“I Can Choose What I Eat Again.”

For Zygmunt, a 64-year-old former security guard living on a small disability pension, grocery shopping used to mean picking through whatever was handed to him in a food parcel. “I had no say — some of it didn’t even work with my health needs,” he said. “Now, I walk into The Good Store with dignity. I choose the food I need. It’s changed my life.”

Zygmunt is one of nearly 800 individuals in Kraków who now have regular access to nutritious food through a first-of-its-kind initiative, made possible by the partnership between Kraków Food Bank and CAF America.

“I’ve been living on a small disability pension for over a decade. With only 1,250 PLN ($315) per month after paying rent, I barely have enough left for food. The Good Store gave me something I haven’t had in years — the ability to choose what I eat.”

— Zygmunt, 64-year-old former security guard helped by Kraków Food Bank

Feeding People, Not Landfills

Kraków Food Bank is one of Poland’s leading organizations fighting both food insecurity and food waste. Its mission is simple but vital: rescue surplus food from producers and retailers and deliver it to individuals and families in need through a wide network of local partners.

From emergency food parcels for refugees and the homeless to innovative dignity-based programs like The Good Store, Kraków Food Bank works to make sure that no edible food goes to waste, and no one goes hungry.

Programs in Action: Food, Dignity, and Community

Serving nearly 800 individuals and families, The Good Store provides:

• 114,000 kg (251,000 lbs) of food distributed
• Food aid valued at PLN 1.63 million ($405,000)
• Access to counseling, workshops, and a supportive café space

This innovative approach restores dignity and autonomy to those facing food insecurity, allowing them to choose what works best for their needs and health.

At The Good Store, people like Zygmunt receive 500 monthly points on a special card that functions like a form of currency. With it, he can select groceries that meet his dietary needs, just as he would in any other supermarket. “Before, I depended on pre-packed bags of whatever was available. Now I can plan meals, shop for what I need, and make healthier choices,” he said. “It may seem like a small thing, but when you’re living day-to-day, it means everything.”

Beyond groceries, The Good Store has become a place of belonging. Tucked next to the shop is a small café space that offers free workshops, counseling, and a welcoming community. “At first, I just came for food,” Zygmunt shared. “But then I stayed for the conversations, the workshops — it gave me a reason to get out of the house, to feel like part of something again.”

Since its opening in 2022, The Good Store has distributed over 114,000 kg (251,000 lbs) of rescued food, valued at more than PLN 1.63 million ($405,000). The food is sourced from local retailers, producers, and distributors, preventing food waste while meeting a growing humanitarian need.

CAF America’s partnership has been instrumental in launching and sustaining this initiative. Through targeted grants and strategic support, CAF America’s donors have helped Kraków Food Bank transform a simple idea — choice-based aid — into a scalable, community-driven solution to hunger.

Using SMS notifications, the church created a structured distribution system to reach the most vulnerable — including single mothers, elderly individuals, and war-disabled refugees. “When someone comes here, they don’t just get food. They find comfort and people who care.” said Vitaliy, the church’s leader.

CAF America’s support has allowed the Kraków Food Bank to respond with speed and compassion, ensuring no refugee goes without basic necessities during their time of greatest need.

With regular, nutritious meals, residents like Małgorzata (a 45-year-old woman rebuilding her life after homelessness and addiction) can focus on therapy, education, and long-term reintegration. Places like The Lazarus House continue to offer not just survival, but a true path forward.

Kraków Food Bank & CAF America: Five Years of Impact

For the past five years, CAF America has been a key partner in helping our donors support Kraków Food Bank to fight food insecurity and reduce food waste. During this time, the world has faced unprecedented challenges — the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and soaring inflation — all of which have deepened poverty and increased the need for humanitarian aid. Thanks to our donors’ continued support, Kraków Food Bank has been able to scale up its work, respond to overlapping global crises, and build new models of food aid.

A Lasting Impact

What began as a crisis response effort has grown into a model for modern food aid. Whether it’s helping a refugee mother to feed her children, an elderly man to choose the right groceries for his health, or a family to find community in a time of isolation, CAF Americas donors’ support have helped make Krakow Food Bank’s huge successes possible.