Strokes of fate, unexpected life situations or constant price increases in the housing sector ensure that families can no longer meet their costs. This was also the case for a single mother of three sons aged 3, 14 and 16 from Lower Austria. She was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time. In addition, one of her sons suffered kidney failure. Due to this stressful situation, energy costs, among other things, could no longer be paid. This is where the PENNY Family Relief Fund comes in: the outstanding EVN bill was taken over and was thus able to relieve the burden on the single mother.
"Since 2011, we have been working together with the Austrian Red Cross as part of the PENNY Family Relief Fund to help the weakest in our society. The entire PENNY family comes together to help families in need. 2,642 rent arrears, 1,310 food vouchers and educational activities as well as 908 electricity and heating costs could be covered," explains Ralf Teschmit, PENNY Managing Director.
PENNY is also very concerned about supporting children in the context of school events that take place. The single full-time carer from Salzburg is the mother of four daughters. Legal fees incurred as part of the ongoing divorce prevented the payment of four school events amounting to € 1,260. The PENNY Family Assistance Fund supported, enabled participation and thus strengthened integration into the class community.
"Supporting children and adolescents is a special concern for us. PENNY and the Austrian Red Cross have been partners for more than 10 years when it comes to supporting families in Austria. So far, € 1,849,588.27 has been distributed through the PENNY Family Relief Fund in the course of this cooperation," says Mario Märzinger, PENNY Managing Director.
A single mother and her two minor children lost almost all their possessions in a roof-truss fire in Upper Austria. A month's rent was paid to help them build their new livelihood.
Donations can also be made directly to the PENNY Family Relief Fund of the Austrian Red Cross throughout the year (IBAN: AT46 2011 1200 3443 3268, BIC: GIBAATWWXXX, keyword: PENNY Family Relief Fund).
More information is available at www.penny.at
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