Tafel (Food Banks) in Germany | How you can support them
Pandemic, Ukraine war, rising food and energy prices. The crisis news never stops, putting more and more people on low incomes in financial distress. This has a noticeable impact on numerous food banks in Germany. They work day after day to support people in need with cheap food and other household goods.
The problem is that the need for support is clearly increasing the willingness to donate is declining. This has to do with the rising costs of living and less money to spend. In this combination, many food banks no longer see themselves in a position to adequately support their clients. You can read more about this here in the current press release of the food banks.
What does the Tafel Germany actually do?
The umbrella organisation Tafel Deutschland e.V. has more than 960 food banks in towns and communities throughout Germany. According to its own information, more than 60,000 volunteers are committed to the sensible use of surplus food and to providing for people in need. Currently, more than two million people are supported by the Tafel. Thus, the Tafel makes an immensely important contribution to providing for people with lower incomes.
Who are the people who seek support at the Tafel?
The economic slump caused by the pandemic has already led to a significant increase in the number of clients. In addition a high inflation rate is now forcing more and more pensioners affected by poverty in old age, but also students, for example, to make use of the services of the food banks. The poverty report of the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband confirms these developments in a current data collection on the poverty rate in Germany. It states that never before have so many people had to be classified as at risk of poverty or income poverty.
In addition, there are refugees, most recently from Ukraine, who have been looking for support at the food banks since the beginning of the war. They are often referred directly to the food banks by the social welfare offices without consultation. This is questionable because the actual state task of providing food is being outsourced to private volunteers.
Due to this recent increase in the number of clients, it is becoming more and more common that there is often not enough food and volunteers available to help everyone who comes to the Tafel.
How you can support the Tafel with a donation
In this emergency situation, the food banks are particularly dependent on sufficient donations. In addition to food donations (information on this can be found on the Tafeln website), financial donations are also particularly important at the moment, for example to cover rising energy costs. You can donate for specific needs of the local food banks on betterplace.org or directly to the food banks in Germany.
Get involved with the Tafel in your area via vostel.de
But there is also a great need for active support from volunteers. Whether as a driver, sorting and handing out donated food or in administration, the need for volunteer support has never been higher. On vostel.de you will find numerous opportunities to support the food banks in your city through your commitment.
Your vostel.de team wishes you a joyful volunteering experience!
No Comments yet!