MMore than two million people in Germany seek help from the Tafel. The association Tafel Deutschland announced on Thursday in Berlin that this was around half more than in the previous year and thus more than ever before. The difficult financial situation of many people due to inflation, the pandemic and the consequences of war is particularly visible at the food distribution points, according to the voluntary organization.
Many people come to the distribution points who have just made ends meet and are now seeking help for the first time, said the association chairman of Tafel Deutschland, Jochen Brühl. In addition to refugees from Ukraine, the new customers included the unemployed, employed people with low incomes and pensioners.
“Poverty doesn’t take a summer break,” said Brühl, “we can clearly see that people are now lacking the bare necessities and continue to call for donations for the food banks”. Around a third of the Tafel have already had to introduce a freeze on admission because they lacked food and volunteers to help everyone. Around 62 percent of all Tafel have reduced the quantities per household so that as many people as possible can get groceries.
Demand for new aid package
Tafel Germany criticized the fact that authorities in many cities referred refugees to the Tafel without asking whether the Tafel could accept new customers. In addition, the wrong impression is created that the panels are a state offer to which there is a claim. “We help as much as we can, but remain an additional offer,” emphasized Brühl. “The state, not volunteering, must ensure that everyone in Germany has enough to eat and drink.”
Tafel Germany demanded a new aid package from the federal government. “The majority of the previous aid missed those who need it most urgently.” Instead, immediate aid is needed that specifically reaches those affected by poverty. In addition, the association called for poverty-proof standard rates of at least 678 euros for the announced citizen income.
According to its own statements, the umbrella organization of the Tafel represents 962 member Tafels. The figures given are based on a survey of all Tafels in June and July. 603 panels took part in the survey.
