Lunch for children with a migrant background in kindergarten, the payment of course fees at a center for senior citizens, support for leisure activities for the mentally ill: in award rounds it is regularly decided where the donated money goes. The charitable and non-profit organization provides quick help all year round, although donations are mainly received during the Christmas season. How the SZ relief organization works – an overview:
Who gets money?
People in need and those in long-term need of help who are within the core distribution area of the South German newspaper life. These are the city and district of Munich, the districts of Erding, Ebersberg, Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen, Starnberg, Fürstenfeldbruck, Dachau and Freising. In addition to individuals, important social projects are supported that benefit those in need.
How do you find people who are needy but don’t dare ask for donations?
The need is often hidden. And it is sometimes inherent in the system: for older people, for example, who simply do not receive enough pension to live on. Or single parents who can often only work part-time because they want to have more time for their children or do not have sufficient childcare options. These are predominantly recipients of citizens’ benefit or social assistance who live at the subsistence level. It is often the district social workers in the social community centers who learn about difficult life situations during their home visits. The social educators then ensure that those affected receive urgently needed help and turn to the SZ-Hilfswerk when other options have been exhausted.
What requirements do donation recipients have to meet?
The SZ relief organization only steps in to help when all other state and local aid has been exhausted. This needs to be proven in detail. Social organizations and providers must confirm that all these options have been examined – and that there are no public pots available anywhere else to alleviate the plight of those in need.
How does this work?
As a general rule, applications for individual assistance submitted by private individuals will not be processed. Only social or official bodies can submit an application for individual assistance for those in need. These are, for example, advice centers run by welfare associations such as Caritas, the city’s social community centers, senior citizens’ or youth facilities. The experience of the employees in these social institutions should help to prevent abuse and to guarantee that donations are used appropriately – in order to actually help where there is need.
What does the application for a donation look like?
What is required is: a detailed cover letter from an official or social body. A copy of the carer ID card if the person in question is cared for. Contact details of the person in need. The description of the life situation, an illness or a disability. A list of the income and expenses of all household members. A copy of proof of income. A clear identification of the items or services that are lacking and what they are needed for. The application must contain the exact amount requested and the bank details of the person in need. In special circumstances, payment is also made via social institutions or court-appointed carers.
Who then decides whether this application goes through?
At the SZ Gute Works association, three full-time employees handle everything related to the receipt and distribution of donations. They are the managing director Sandra Geisler and her assistants Martina Linke and Sandra Schneider. Everything else is done on a voluntary basis. Süddeutsche Verlag bears all administrative costs. The full-time team pre-selects the applications. The four-eyes principle applies.
All requests for donations of more than 5,000 euros are examined in an allocation round that meets regularly. Another board member of the club has a say here, such as the club’s chairman, SV managing director Karl Ulrich, or the deputy club chairman and deputy head of the Munich, Region, Bavaria department, Karin Kampwerth. Another decision-maker is a club member, such as SZ editor Sven Loerzer. Sandra Geisler also advises on the use of donations.
What is there no support for?
Brokerage fees, deposits or rental deposits are not approved. Likewise, the assumption of fines, legal fees, loans or the assumption of debts. The aid organization only covers the costs of obtaining a driving license in special circumstances, for example if a job is guaranteed in writing upon successful acquisition. Personnel costs for permanent employees of social organizations are also not covered, although expense allowances for voluntary employees are often covered.
What is funded?
For seniors who live in homes, this often includes glasses, a co-payment for medication or services that health insurance companies do not cover, such as medical foot care. Many households desperately need a new stove or beds, mattresses, washing machines, clothes and bicycles. It can also be furnishings for a children’s room. The aid organization also specifically supports social projects that provide important assistance for people in need.
The aid organization also launches its own campaigns, such as “Student Lunch” for children who cannot afford a warm lunch, “Music for All Children” and “Sport for All Children”, in order to make it possible for children from families with low incomes to have instrumental lessons and club sports . In special cases, vehicles are also financed or subsidized, for example for the transport of disabled people or senior citizens, but also facilities in homes and day care centers if there is no other financing option for the design that is particularly tailored to the needs of the residents.
How is it checked what actually happens with the money?
Anyone who receives help must promptly prove that it was spent for the purpose requested. In addition, managing director Sandra Geisler visits the facilities to see how the money was actually used.
Why are there food packages?
It all started in 1949 with food parcels. The donors brought 60 cans of gingerbread, 25 bars of chocolate and five boxes of apples to the publishing house on Sendlinger Strasse. Today, Sandra Geisler and her colleagues fill around 3,000 packages a year with food worth 150 euros. Organic items are deliberately purchased because those in need cannot afford them. Inside, the recipients will find pasta, olive oil, honey and tomato sauce – personally delivered by the messenger. The joy of this is often enormous.