Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Supports Berlin Homeless Aid

Mercedes-Benz has donated a Sprinter van to Berliner Stadtmission, supporting homeless outreach and Kältebus operations. Explore how the vehicle will be used year-round.

Mercedes-Benz has handed over a new Sprinter van to the Berliner Stadtmission, a vehicle that will soon be operating where help is needed most — on the streets among homeless people.

The van is not intended for occasional use but for continuous, year-round work. It will support a wide range of social services, from assisting people without housing to participating in projects for children and youth. During the winter months, the Sprinter will become part of the “Kältebus” system, a night-time service that patrols Berlin, offering hot drinks, warm clothing and, when accepted, transport to emergency shelters.

This role highlights the importance of the donation. In Berlin, more than 50,000 people live without their own housing, and several thousand sleep rough on the streets. Demand for support intensifies in winter: in the 2025–2026 season alone, the Kältebus transported 1,784 people to shelters and handled over 2,800 calls. The service operates every night, typically between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., relying on volunteers and social workers.

The timing of the donation is also critical. During the past winter, all Kältebus vehicles were attacked and taken out of service, severely limiting outreach capabilities. The arrival of a new van helps restore part of that lost mobility.

The donated Sprinter has been specifically configured for social work. It includes climate control for summer conditions, auxiliary heating systems for cold weather, and advanced driver assistance features. An additional battery enables the use of onboard equipment required during outreach operations.

The Berliner Stadtmission, founded in 1877, is one of the central pillars of social support in the region. It operates more than 90 facilities and services, supported by hundreds of employees and around 2,000 volunteers. Beyond homelessness support, it works with refugees, children, and the elderly, while also running social enterprises that help fund its activities.

Against the scale of homelessness in Berlin and the pressure on support systems, the new vehicle represents more than just transport. It strengthens the ability to respond quickly, maintain outreach services and extend assistance to those most at risk, particularly during periods of extreme weather.