Food banks in danger: 100,000 euros missing for food aid!

Food banks in danger: 100,000 euros missing for food aid!

The boards in Hofgeismar, Bad Karlshafen and Wolfhagen are sounding the alarm. With a missing amount of between 80,000 and 100,000 euros, the institutions are facing serious financial difficulties. This could jeopardize the care of over 1,500 people, a third of whom are children and young people. Pensioners, refugees, single parents and part-time workers are among the needy people who rely on food aid. The willingness to donate decreases precisely when the demand for food distribution increases. Because the rising prices and the difficult economic circumstances are putting a lot of strain on many people. [HNA reports that].

Another aspect that makes the situation of the food banks more difficult is the increased fixed costs for transport, storage and rent. The current situation is worrying: While the food bank in Bremerhaven may have to close at the end of the year due to similar financial challenges, the Baunataler-Schauenburg food bank is currently experiencing no financial bottlenecks, but the willingness to donate there is also declining. An urgent appeal to local companies to get involved through monetary donations or their own campaigns, such as charity events, is being launched by the Diakonisches Werk, which is launching the “Table Month”.

The development of food banks in Germany

The food banks in Germany have been able to achieve a lot since they were founded over 30 years ago. Deutschlandfunk Kultur explains that the first German Tafel was founded in Berlin in 1993 to help primarily homeless and extremely needy people. Today, around 960 food banks support around two million people affected by poverty. In the last five years, the number of regular Tafel users has increased by half a million. The reasons for this include the corona pandemic, inflation and the war in Ukraine, which have put many households in financial distress.

The vast majority of food banks rely on donations from regional retailers, but this is where there has been a decline in recent years. Less and less food is being donated, and retailers often sell their products with blemishes instead of giving them away. This development not only leads to an increase in the number of people in need, but also to frustration and desperation among volunteers, who are often also social contacts for people in need.

Need for action and options for support

In order to receive the necessary support, those in need usually have to provide proof of their financial need in order to receive a Tafel card. Due to high demand, a third of the food banks have already had to suspend issuing new ID cards. The increasing number of people relying on social benefits is also reflected in the fact that some food banks recorded an increase of up to 40% in needy people in 2022, while food donations fell by up to 50%.

The challenges that the food banks face are enormous. In order to remain a reliable point of contact in the future, local initiatives must urgently rely on the support of private individuals, companies and the responsible authorities. This is the only way to ensure that the food banks can continue to fulfill their important service to the community.