International Women’s Day is a time when Poles honor the women they love, but for the women who are less fortunate, the Plena Luna Foundation (Fundacja Pełnia) makes a difference.
According to Poland’s Family and Social Policy Ministry, over 6,000 women and more than 25,000 men around the country are grappling with homelessness, while thousands more find themselves struggling below the poverty line.
Each year since 2017, the Plena Luna Foundation has distributed gift bags and organized events for women in crisis under the slogan: “A bit of good for Women’s Day”.
Each year since 2017, the Plena Luna Foundation has distributed gift bags and organized events for women in crisis under the slogan: “A bit of good for Women’s Day”.
“This year, we already have gifts for 973 women, but numbers are not the most important thing. We want each of them to feel valued and remembered,” Plena Luna board member Weronika Borkowska told TVP World.
“If we manage to raise more funds, we will reach more cities to support even more people,” she added.
The idea to help poor, homeless or forgotten women in Polish society came about in 2017 when a group of college friends from Warsaw decided to do something about the problem.
That same year, they collected essentials, hygiene products, sweets, and other items, distributing them to 30 women across Warsaw.
Natalia Tokarz, another Plena Luna board member, told TVP World: “It is important to us that, alongside essential items, the women we support also receive something that makes them feel appreciated as women on this special day – like good coffee or a cosmetic product.”
How it started
The idea to help poor, homeless or forgotten women in Polish society came about in 2017 when a group of college friends from Warsaw decided to do something about the problem.
That same year, they collected essentials, hygiene products, sweets, and other items, distributing them to 30 women across Warsaw.
Natalia Tokarz, another Plena Luna board member, told TVP World: “It is important to us that, alongside essential items, the women we support also receive something that makes them feel appreciated as women on this special day – like good coffee or a cosmetic product.”
The idea soon gained traction, with more and more people deciding to join the effort.
Seven years later, with the support of a specially established foundation, the group reached over 1,100 women, delivering gifts, organizing workshops and concerts, and sharing afternoon teas and gatherings.
Paulina Tokarz-Mazurek, the chairman of the board of the Plena Luna Foundation, told TVP World: “The ‘A bit of good for Women’s Day’ initiative now lasts throughout the entire month of March, but our events in the centers – concerts, meetings and workshops – are organized all year round.”
Those looking to make a difference can contribute here.
Seven years later, with the support of a specially established foundation, the group reached over 1,100 women, delivering gifts, organizing workshops and concerts, and sharing afternoon teas and gatherings.
Paulina Tokarz-Mazurek, the chairman of the board of the Plena Luna Foundation, told TVP World: “The ‘A bit of good for Women’s Day’ initiative now lasts throughout the entire month of March, but our events in the centers – concerts, meetings and workshops – are organized all year round.”
Those looking to make a difference can contribute here.
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