Food rescue: This is how the Wiener Neustadt social department store helps!

Food rescue: This is how the Wiener Neustadt social department store helps!

The social department store in Wiener Neustadt is an important point of contact for many people in need. Franz Lechner has been leading this facility for over 15 years, which emerged from a small flea market driving and has now played a central role in the region. The platform not only offers furniture and clothing, but also foods that are often shortly before the expiry date, but are still edible. Barbara Lechner confirms: "We look closely at everything. What is spoiled is sorted out." This committed work now attracts up to 1000 people who rely on the support of the social department store, as krone.at reported.

food rescue and support

With a variety of volunteers, not only helps to save food, but also create a community in which people feel comfortable. Many use the offer to afford week purchases or find inexpensive clothing. "So I don't commemorate myself and like to come here," says a customer. Particularly noteworthy is the weekly food edition on Saturday, which enables visitors to take food with food free of charge. "Here I can afford the weekly shopping and I also find it important that the food is not thrown away, but saved," says a young mother, such as orf.at

Most of the goods come into the market by donations or cheap remaining items, but the social department store also has to deal with infrastructural challenges. The rooms are poorly insulated and have no heating, which leads to problems, especially in winter. Franz Lechner is therefore urgently looking for financing options for a cooling system in order to be able to optimally store the fresh foods even in summer. The social department store remains a lively example of social responsibility and the valuable use of food in the region.