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Leverkusen's Tafel celebrates 25 years: Help for over 6,000 people in need!
Leverkusen celebrates 25 years of “Tafel”: From six families to over 6,000 people in need - a look back at the important helper work.
Leverkusen's Tafel celebrates 25 years: Help for over 6,000 people in need!
The “Leverkusener Tafel” is celebrating its 25th anniversary and can look back on an impressive success story. Founded in October 2000 by a committed core group, including Pastor Wolfgang Heinen, it all began as an initiative to provide care for those in need. At that time, only six families were supported with food that came from a supermarket in Langenfeld. Today, the Tafel has developed into an indispensable part of social care in Leverkusen and looks after more than 6,000 people in need who need around 80 tons of food every month. ksta.de reports that…
An indispensable team
The tireless efforts of Adolf Staffe, a former Bayer chemist who has been active since its founding, ensures that the board continues to function even in difficult times. The central distribution point is in the Flerserbunker in Wiesdorf, which is equipped with a cold store to better store the fresh food. At the beginning, the food bank was delivered with a small van, but today six transport vehicles are already in use. In Leverkusen there are a total of six dispensaries spread across different parts of the city, while the dispensary in Rheindorf had to be closed due to a lack of staff. The association currently has around 180-190 volunteers, but the need for support is still great. leverkusen.de highlights that…
Growing challenges
The increasing bureaucratic requirements are putting a strain on the food bank. Risk assessments and other regulations place additional strain on the club's work, while the lack of space in the bunker is becoming increasingly problematic. Plans for an extension were rejected by the Federal Real Estate Agency, which further aggravated the situation. “The supply of food is guaranteed, but there are shortages of dairy products and fresh fruit is sometimes rare,” said one person responsible. Fresh herbs and bouquets of flowers are currently particularly popular during food distribution.
Celebrate festivals and help
Next Saturday there will be a celebration in the Bayer Casino to mark the 25th anniversary of the Tafel, an opportunity not only to celebrate, but also to point out the important work of the association and to recruit more volunteers. If you would like to help, you can contact the food bank directly, as the need for supporting hands is more urgent than ever. Donations in kind can also be made via the “Tafel der Dinge” to help people in need in the city.
“We have a big heart for those who have a hard time,” is often said, and the “Leverkusener Tafel” leaves no doubt about that. It remains a sign of hope for many and shows how important solidarity, voluntary commitment and the desire to help are.