Food banks in Germany: Alert waiting lists and admission stops!

Food banks in Germany: Alert waiting lists and admission stops!

In Germany, food banks are increasingly facing major challenges: Noisy radioguetersloh.de Almost 40 percent of the food banks have temporary admission stops or have waiting lists. The chairman of the umbrella organization Tafel Deutschland, Andreas Steppuhn, made it clear that the need for food donations is higher than ever before, while the food banks are reaching their capacity limits. The pressure on the food banks is increasing, particularly due to sharp increases in food prices and rental costs, which brings additional burdens for people with low incomes. Steppuhn called on the government to take effective measures to combat poverty, including stable wages and affordable housing.

As food banks try to cope with increasing demands, some of them are reducing the number of distribution days or the amount of food given out. The umbrella organization highlights that 975 food banks support around 1.6 million people nationwide and save 265,000 tons of food every year. Nevertheless, there are also difficulties in procurement: supermarkets are increasingly operating more sustainably, which means that there are fewer surplus goods for the food banks, reports Steppuhn. In order to compensate for this, increasing attempts are being made to obtain goods directly from manufacturers that are not available in stores.

Thanks to the volunteers

On the other hand, the valuable work of volunteers is recognized. The Chalkboard Blog emphasizes the commitment of around 75,000 helpers who are involved in food banks nationwide. These volunteers play a crucial role in organizing food distribution and supporting those in need. The Tafel have been active for over 30 years and make an indispensable contribution to combating food waste and supporting disadvantaged people in society.