Σε Αναμονή – On Hold

The idea on which On Hold is based on began in Napoli, after the IIWW, with coffee “on hold”. After reading an article, Dimitris Panellis decided to bring this idea to Greece and adapt it to other products. Since the action began in November 2015, many businesses have got involved in the project building a substantial network around Greece and Cyprus of over 1,200 businesses and 33 volunteer teams.

On Hold began in 2015 as a movement of volunteers with the aim of supporting the vulnerable groups of society most hit by the financial crisis. Since last October, On Hold has been constituted as a formal NGO and at it is currently composed of over 1,200 businesses comprising pharmacies, breweries, butcher’s, restaurants, coffee shops, toy shops, theatres, petrol stations and diagnostic center like Euromedica which provides checkups “on hold”.

Our action is based on 4 words: trust, solidarity, humanity and philosophy. It consists of providing the ones in need with different products by prepaying them at a discounted price in one of the businesses that participate in the project. The product stays “on hold” and the owner of the shop keeps the receipt of this “on hold” product in a separate box, finally, someone who cannot afford it, can enjoy it without any charge. The number of products “on hold” are displayed on a blackboard in a notable place where it can be easily seen.

On Hold has been functioning as a formal NGO for only less than 5 months. We are currently part of the incubator HIGGS which provides us with the workspace. And, we have honourably won the World of Difference Competition sponsored by Vodafone. We have created a considerable network within 2 countries, Greece and Cyprus, from exclusively volunteer work; however, as a formal NGO, we need some resources in order to remain growing and keep helping others.

Therefore, due to our rapid expansion sum to the fact that we do not have any other fund inflows, we have analyzed our different alternatives and we have concluded that in order to reach our goals we will need to hire another person with the required knowledge to work for us full time to help us to raise our presence and to keep growing in an effective way.

We would be very grateful if you could consider helping us as we highly believe in this project as it will considerably increase our scalability as well as help us to raise our presence and keep providing essentials to those in need.