Embassy Lends Helping Hand!

Ambassador Daniel B. Smith and Mrs. Diane Smith joined members of the Embassy community to deliver food to Klimaka shelter (State Department Photo)

In response to the rising number of homeless in Athens due to the economic crisis, the Embassy community recently collected over 100 kilos of non-perishable food for a local shelter. Ambassador Daniel B. Smith and Mrs. Diane Smith also joined members of the Embassy community in delivering the food and stayed to help serve dinner to over 50 homeless people at the Klimaka shelter.  Since 2002, the Athens-based NGO has been operating residential care houses in addition to mobile mental health units, and two day care centers (one for Greek Roma and one for Greek Muslims residing in Athens). Every week nearly 300 people pass through the doors of the Klimaka shelter to bathe, eat, get first aid and clean clothes. Klimaka cares for people with mental health issues, people with cultural differences, homeless people, victims of trafficking, asylum applicants, refugees, home violence victims, victims of natural disasters or conflicts, drug users and people with serious social issues.