QnA

Questions and answers

When can I send my parcel donation?

The 27th campaign is due to start on 24 December 2023 and will run until 11 January 2024. During the campaign you can hand in your unaddressed parcel marked '2 x Christmas' at any post office and it will be delivered free of charge to the Swiss Red Cross.

Can I have my parcel picked up at my home?

Yes, from 24 December to 11 January, you can ask the post office to pick up your 2 x Christmas parcel from your home free of charge. Simply register your parcel at www.post.ch/2xweihnachten and the post office pick@home service will come and collect it.

What can I put in my parcel?

Only put food with a long shelf life or hygiene products and toiletries in your parcel. Foodstuffs must have a shelf-life of at least six months. It is better to choose hygiene and oral healthcare products, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental floss. Breakfast cereals, honey, jam and cocoa are also very much appreciated. You can also add tea, sugar, cooking oil and rice to your parcel.

What is the maximum size and weight of a 2 x Christmas parcel?

Maximum size: 100 x 60 x 60 cm
Maximum weight: 30 kg

Why are online parcels especially welcome?

Thanks to your donation, urgently needed products can be bought in the target country, things the recipients really need. While at the same time, we support the local economy. And also avoid long transport routes across Europe and time-consuming bureaucratic hurdles. Online parcels are therefore much more economical and environmentally friendly. And they enable us to meet the actual needs of vulnerable people.

Which countries will receive aid from my online parcel?

In cooperation with the National Red Cross Societies in Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Moldova and the Red Crescent Society of Kyrgyzstan, the Swiss Red Cross can use your donation to buy basic essentials, such as foodstuffs, toiletries or heating materials, and distribute them to people in need.

Who will I be helping with my online parcel?

Your online parcel will help vulnerable people in need. These include the elderly and the sick, single parents and their children, and a range of other people who are less fortunate in life. Thanks to your donations, the Red Cross can help them directly with food and other basic necessities.

When can I donate an online parcel?

2 x Christmas online parcels can be donated all year round: online parcel

In which Coop outlets can I buy the 2 x Christmas donor parcels?

In all Coop Megastores and select Coop City department stores:

Coop City Coop City Aarau, Coop City Basel Gerbergasse, Coop City Basel Pfauen, Coop City Bern Ryfflihof, Coop City Fribourg, Coop City Genève Fusterie, Coop City Lausanne Au Centre, Coop City Olten, Coop City Sion, Coop City Winterthur, Coop City Zug, Coop City Zürich Bellevue, Coop City Zürich St. Annahof

Coop Megastores Aarau Telli, Affoltern am Albis, Allaman Littoral Centre, Bachenbülach, Basel Spalemärt, Bassecourt, Bern Wankdorf, Biberist, Biel/Bienne Bahnhof/Gare, Biel/Bienne Boujean, Bulle le Carô, Canobbio Ipermercato Resega, Carouge La Praille, Châtel-St-Denis, Chaux-de-Fonds Entilles, Chur Quader, Chur West, Collombey, Conthey Bassin, Crissier, Dielsdorf, Dietikon Silbern, Dietlikon Center, Egerkingen Gäupark, Feuerthalen Rhymarkt, Frauenfeld Schlosspark, Frenkendorf, Frick, Genève Eaux-Vives, Haag, Heimberg Center, Hinwil Center, Kaiseraugst, Kreuzlingen Karrussell, Kriens Pilatusmarkt, La Chaux-de-Fonds Eplatures Centre, Langenthal Tell, Laupen, Losone Ipermercato Cattori, Martigny Cristal, Matran Centre, Mels Pizolcenter, Montagny-près-Yverdon, Münchenstein Gartenstadt, Netstal Wiggispark, Neuchâtel Maladière, Oberwil Mühlematt, Oftringen Perry Center, Onex, Pfäffikon SZ Seedamm, Reinach AG, Rickenbach, Schenkon, Schönbühl Center, Seewen-Markt, Signy Centre, St. Gallen Gallusmarkt K., St. Gallen Shopping Arena, St. Moritz, Vernier Blandonnet, Vich, Villars-sur-Glâne, Visp Eyholz Center, Volketswil Volkiland, Weinfelden Thurmarkt, Wettingen Tägipark, Winterthur Grüzemarkt, Würenlingen Aarepark, Zürich Eleven, Zürich Letzipark, Zürich Sihlcity Supermarkt

Will my parcel be forwarded directly to someone in need?

No, every year hundreds of volunteers come to the Swiss Red Cross Logistics Centre in Wabern near Bern to unpack all the parcels received. The goods are sorted and packed up for delivery to the Red Cross cantonal associations that take charge of distributing the foodstuffs and toiletries to vulnerable people. Some cantonal associations distribute the goods to social institutions that aid people in need in Switzerland.

How can companies take part in the 2 x Christmas campaign?

Any company can donate online parcels or postal parcels. Or it can enable its employees to lend a hand sorting the items received at the SRC Logistics Centre in Wabern near Bern or at the local cantonal association. These voluntary groups of employees can be organized with the Swiss Red Cross or your local Red Cross cantonal association.

Which social institutions receive goods donated in the 2 x Christmas campaign?

The Swiss Red Cross cantonal associations give some of the donated goods to social institutions. For example, womens shelters, homes for children, refugee shelters or poverty centres.

Why does the Red Cross only collect toiletries and food with a long shelf life?

These are everyday necessities that can relieve the budgets of the poor the most.

Where can I get in touch if I think I should get a parcel?

Articles donated to the 2 x Christmas campaign will be distributed through the SRC cantonal associations. Please contact your local cantonal association directly if you have any questions about how they are distributed in your area.

To the cantonal associations

Feel free to contact us if you have any other questions.