Schnack-Ma(h)l: Together against loneliness in Breitenfelde!

Schnack-Ma(h)l: Together against loneliness in Breitenfelde!

The Breitenfelde parish invites you to the next “Schnack-Ma(h)l” on June 14th at 11.30 a.m. in the village community center in Groß Schretstaken. This regularly occurring format has the clear aim of promoting community and offering people a place to meet. “Food is an important part of our lives, but even more important is the atmosphere of closeness and togetherness,” explains Pastor Tobias Knöller.

The “Schnack-Ma(h)l” has been running since the beginning of the year and is enjoying growing popularity. Last month, 35 people came together to enjoy a delicious three-course meal prepared by volunteers. There is also a vegetarian version, which is available upon special request. After the meal, a short devotion is traditionally held to spiritually enrich the moment together. The dessert, a vanilla cup with fresh strawberries, was generously sponsored by Niendorfer Hofeis. Participation is free, but guests can donate voluntarily.

With “Schnack-Ma(h)l” the editor Michaela Blaack-Hennies addresses the increasing loneliness in society. This is an issue that not only affects the older generation, but people of all ages. Older women in particular are often alone, which poses a challenge. To counteract this, active action is being taken in Breitenfelde - close cooperation with the local political communities plays an important role. Mayors not only get involved in the kitchen, but also organize transport services for seniors to ensure that no one misses out on sharing a meal.

Loneliness is a problem for society as a whole, as the Federal Ministry for Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth has discovered. Numerous projects are supported that focus on strengthening social participation. The ESF Plus program "Strengthening the participation of older people" runs from October 2022 to 2027 and supports more than 70 innovative projects to combat isolation. Loneliness is a topic that is also often discussed in podcasts, such as in a discussion about living with dementia that brought together several professionals and also addressed the need for greater support for family members.

The social responsibility to create opportunities for encounters is becoming increasingly important. Through initiatives such as the “Schnack-Ma(h)l”, the Breitenfelde parish actively contributes to bringing people back into contact. In order to take part in the next “Schnack-Ma(h)l”, you must register via the church office by June 12th. Further information can be found on the Homepage of the Breitenfelde parish.