The Berliner Tafel – The social heart of the capital turns 30

By Bjorn Trautwein

Every month, around 100,000 more people are supplied with food in 400 social facilities.

Helping to the limit: “Sometimes we are just at the limit of what we can do,” says Brenda Sorg (48), head of the food bank in the Trinity Church in Neukölln, “the needy are increasing, the food is less. The burden is enormous.” A year ago, there were 150 people, up to 300 are lined up for groceries this week.

In order for this to work, the first sprinters start at eight in the morning from the wholesale market on Beusselstrasse. This is where the heart of the Berliner Tafel beats. Food is delivered to two huge warehouses, each around 60 by 50 meters in size, sorted and then distributed throughout the city.

Around 20 tons of apples, salad, pasta and bread every day – 8000 tons a year. 40 volunteers are active in the cool hall – ensuring social warmth in Berlin.

High school graduate Felipa Einwaechter (18) is part of the team that packs food bags for the distribution points today. The daily goal is written on a chalk board: 600 pieces are needed. The volunteers slash open boxes, carry black boxes with potatoes, apples and drinks. “I’m bridging the time here until my studies,” says Felipa.

She comes three times a week for several hours. “It’s fun and, of course, meaningful to work here.” she says, “because there are so many needy people in our city.” Next to her is Andreas (66) from Steglitz. The former teacher has been helping at the blackboard for three and a half years: “Above all, I want to save food,” he says.

The idea for three decades: saving food that would otherwise be thrown away and distributing it to those who have little money. Pensioners, low-income families, children, the homeless.

The founder Sabine Werth used to pack the boxes in her private small car, today there are 26 sprinters with volunteers on the road.

Lawyer Alma Libal (34) and tennis teacher Olaf Slotosch (65) are one of the teams that are bringing food to 14 homeless facilities today.

They belong to the A-Tour: Delivery. The “E” tour runs in the morning, which stands for collection. The two are on the road for five hours: “You know that you can do something useful here,” the two say before they start.

Brenda Sorg is at the same time in the church in Neukölln between bread and milk and vegetables. In a long, slow queue, the guests push past the food boxes. Around 40 volunteers are working on this.

Pensioner Nelli S. (77) is one of the 300 who are receiving support here today. “My pension is so low without this help I wouldn’t know what to eat,” she says.