More and more seniors in Germany are dependent on the food banks. According to the umbrella organization, they now make up a quarter of customers. Given the high rents and energy prices, there are likely to be even more in the next few years.
Many seniors in Germany need food donations. According to Andreas Steppuhn, chairman of Tafel Deutschland, a quarter of the people who come to the Tafel are now of retirement age. “They receive low pensions or basic security,” he told the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”.
The development that more and more old people need support from the Tafel has already been observed in recent years. However, since Russia’s attack on Ukraine, it has become even more severe. According to the information, around every third food bank in Germany registered even more pensioners among its customers.
“Waiting lists and temporary admission stops”
“For many people, going to the food bank is a way to save money and get through the month,” says Steppuhn. Even pension increases would not have changed this. Steppuhn assumes that the number of older customers at the food banks will continue to rise given high rents, energy and food prices.
“Poverty in old age will explode – especially in East Germany,” warned the association head. One should not close one’s eyes to this. The food banks would not be able to alleviate the problems that arise from this. “It’s already like this: Many food banks in Germany have imposed waiting lists and temporary admission freezes,” said Steppuhn. “In many places, demand simply exceeds supply and it is not the task of the food banks to fill the gaps in the welfare state or pension system.”
2,000 distribution points provide supplies to those in need
According to the umbrella organization, as of February there were 975 food banks with more than 2,000 distribution points in Germany. The food banks receive food donations from supermarkets, discounters or large bakeries – and pass them on to people affected by poverty free of charge or for a symbolic contribution.