German food banks under pressure | DW Documentary

The food bank in northwestern Essen has temporarily stopped taking on any new non-German customers. Those in need must increasingly rely on donations.

The decision sparked outrage across the country: The food bank in northwestern Essen – also the German word for “food” - has temporarily stopped taking on new customers who aren't German. Many politicians, including Chancellor Merkel, have voiced criticism. The case reveals the enormous strain on food banks to spread dwindling contributions among the rising number of those in need. Our report follows helpers in Cologne who are determined not to be like their colleagues in Essen.
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[sterianburghelea]

Very nice of them to volunteer their time and energy for such a good cause, especially at their age.

[vividman]

These pesioners rebuilt Germany and now are sill helping their people(and immigrants).They deserve alot more respect.

[pedrofdmp]

That young man with such an aggressive attitude towards a old woman in front of the cameras, there is just no shame or respect. Should have removed him from all the lists. this is charity, they have no obligation to help anyone especially aggressive and disrespectful people.

[jbhann]

I visited Germany for just a two week vacation, and tried to learn as much German as possible.

If a person is going to reside in a nation for any period of time, that person should make it a priority to learn the nation's language.

[tigermagda]

Make it a requirement to have documents and set elderly prior. Besides, for all asylum seekers, it should be required to work in those centers. Come on.

[simplycomplexbyseamus]

I offer my sincere gratitude to those who either donate their time or goods to feed the need. Hunger is not prejudice - people are . Thank you .

[hameshaindian]

I think Germany needs to help its own poor people first and then others. A very touching story. Every European we have run into seems to be helping somewhere or the other once or twice a week. Few people in my own country do.

[GiorgiChaduneli]

Well... Of course rich European countries can and should help! But it is interesting that the question why rich Arab cpuntries (by the way they are Muslim countries where integration must be easier) are doing nothing?

As to speaking German, if you want to live in country you have to study its language and respect its culture!

[afiqamran]

I'd like to point out that no matter how stern or brash the Germans may seem they actually are very tolerant and patient with 'foreigners'. I lived there as a child and picked up the language pretty quickly and I learned more with the Oppas and Ommas and the children around the neighborhood. Germany and Germans are well-meaning people, it is the norm if you come to a place that you should at least integrate and learn the customs and language at the very least. I am a Muslim and there is nothing in our religion that forbade integration with the normal populace. Granted there are differences between people but to each their own. I do have a problem with all these migrants who come to the country and expect free-handouts! Work for it at least and quit trying to cheat the system and the people who are trying to help you. If you dont like it you are more than welcome to go back to your place of origin.

[micjakes]

Let angela merkel live on this budget.

[onengkusumah]

they did it 100% correct, they should help their citizens first, then only if something left, they can give it to refugees. those refugees are already lucky enough that Germany let them in.

[edwinsemidey]

i see nothing wrong with it if you are not a citizen too bad

[sbvarma]

I am a foreigner and lives in Germany, I sometimes volunteer at the Tafel. There is more and more foreigners being registered at food bank, many of them don't even speak German not necessarily from middle East but from Russia, Balkans etc also. Most of the Germans coming are old people, and the supply is limited, the foreigners often have large families so they get more ration, they are younger and healthier so they come first and take out good supplies before the old people can come, the Germans often gets the bad supplies or does not get at all. Because of this the old people often resort to collecting Pfand bottles rather than coming to Tafel every week.

[MrNextMx]

The thing that bother me is that most of the volunteers are elderly people, where are the young?

[mommas]

Unfortunately, the food pantries will soon be overwhelmed and the only options for many will be soup kitchens. One daily meal will stretch the donations, but with very little or nothing to actually take home.

[maureenbernhardt]

I never thought Germany would ever come to this. How sad

[lunafringe]

those food banks should close down, so people will start getting into the streets to reap havoc. If you feed them, they stay quiet and nothing will ever change

[A-t-r-u-s]

What upsets me is the attitude and ungratefulness of refugees, as if they are entitled simply because of their status. I've experienced this in Canada while I was involved with humanitarian projects. Could never understand why they project so much anger at volunteers in humanitarian aid?

[myrongunnar]

Not racists- Smart countrymen and woman.

[danamay]

I'm a straight poor white lady who tried to get clothes for my kids from the salvation army ran by a bunch of black people and you know that no one would help me or even call me back? Does anyone know how much my family and I have donated over the past many years? It makes me want to start my own donation center just for white people. Tired of this BS. My son had literally 3 pairs of pants that fit, no winter coat. Do you think anyone gave a crap? Hell no. Thanks to good hearted people like this.