More and more needy people in Werra-Meißner: food banks under pressure!

More and more needy people in Werra-Meißner: food banks under pressure!

The food banks in the Werra-Meißner district have been in greater demand than ever for several years. The chairwoman of the Witzenhausen Tafel, Sylvia Müller, reports that around 450 people regularly rely on her help. It is primarily pensioners and single mothers who take advantage of the food banks in Eschwege and Witzenhausen. On each distribution day, around 50 people wait in Witzenhausen to receive food. In Eschwege the numbers are up to 60 on good days, which shows that need is noticeably increasing in the region. Ukrainian refugees are particularly affected, as they are particularly dependent on support in the current situation [HNA].

Fight for the survival of the food banks

The food banks rely on the goodwill of the population, both through volunteers and food donors. In total, the food banks in the district support around 1,250 people. However, this is happening in an increasingly difficult environment, as financing relief efforts is becoming increasingly complicated due to rising costs for rent, electricity and driving. Sylvia Müller noted that supermarkets are calculating more carefully, which is leading to a decline in food donations. A mix of economic difficulties and the need to save food is driving the situation in a complicated direction.

A trend that can be seen nationwide

The location of the food banks is not just a local challenge. The 970 food banks nationwide, which are organized under the umbrella organization Tafel Deutschland, are also facing a similar situation. Tafel Deutschland – a non-profit aid organization founded in Berlin in 1993 – now serves two million people in need, including a growing number of low-income earners and refugees. This dilemma is primarily due to rising poverty rates; In 2022, there were half a million more people who were dependent on the help of the food banks than in the previous year, as Deutschlandfunk Kultur states.

Increasing numbers and decreasing donations

What is particularly alarming is that a third of food banks have stopped receiving food in recent years, while the rest have distributed smaller amounts of food. Due to the pandemic and the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the number of people seeking help has increased dramatically. Many food banks experience ups and downs in the markets even when it comes to distribution: the donated food is declining, while at the same time demand is increasing. In about an hour, around 30,240 kg of food are saved nationwide, but this is becoming increasingly difficult as supermarkets are holding back their surplus, as Tafel BW confirms.

The table as a social institution

The Tafel are one of the largest social movements in Germany and have been active in the fight against poverty for over 30 years. They work independently of political parties and rely on donations. Food is usually obtained from supermarkets, bakery shops and butcher shops. Using the boards is cost-effective; Often those in need only have to pay a small amount to receive the food - for example 2.50 euros in Bamberg. This support is of immense importance for many people, including many children and young people.

In summary, it can be said that the food banks in the Werra-Meißner district are not only a local contact point for those in need, but also part of a nationwide movement that is facing enormous challenges in view of the rising cost of living and declining food donations. In this tense situation, it will be crucial how the food banks can be further supported - be it through volunteer work, donations or public attention.