There is a huge rush this Friday afternoon – like every day when the Achimer Tafel is open. A woman pushes her bicycle laden with bags up the steep hill from Unterstrasse, where the food bank has its distribution point. Others have equipped themselves with shopping carts. Many of the customers speak little or no German – according to Bruno Kroen, chairman of the food bank sponsors’ association, around half of them are native Ukrainians. Members of various religious communities such as Yazidis and Muslims also use the food bank’s help. “People are happy that they get something,” says Martina Wöbse as she hands out vegetables with Christel Lewandowski.
The two women have been with the Achimer Tafel since it was founded in 2007. Achim, with around 33,000 residents, is the largest city in the Verden district. The economic strength there is traditionally high and most people are doing well. Achim also has the advantage of being in the southern suburbs of Bremen. The fact that the municipality also has to deal with people in economic need seems almost paradoxical.
Nevertheless, the board was necessary when it was founded 16 years ago, says co-founder Jan Poppen. He stops by every now and then on this and other issue days. He is no longer able to lend a hand due to health reasons. But when he sees the volunteers working hard, his heart warms.
Ulf Buschmann
Katharina Greb is only 16. For her, working in the run-up to Christmas is a special sign of charity.
Good deeds every day
Meanwhile, Christel Lewandowski is serving a young man. Communication takes place with hands and feet. The fact that he can’t speak German makes him visibly embarrassed. On the other side of the issue, Katharina Greb occasionally tries English. At 16 years old, she is by far the youngest in the series. “I think the food bank is useful,” she says, “I want to help people.” In the time before Christmas, this is a special sign of charity. “But the people at the food bank actually do good deeds all year round,” adds the 16-year-old.
Meanwhile, the young man who received vegetables from Christel Lewandowski a few minutes ago is finished and is preparing to go home.
When he is asked if he would like to answer some questions, he automatically shows his blue card. This entitles him to stock up on food from the food bank. A short signal, then he turns to the people at the table with a smile. Iryna Myrosh also just did this. She and her son come from Ukraine. When Russian troops invaded their country in the east, they both fled to Germany, where Iryna Myrosh’s daughter is studying music thanks to her studies. The son attends the 1st grade at the Cato Bontjes van Beek-Gymnasium. Iryna Myrosh emphasizes that the Achimer Tafel has great meaning for her.
“Great significance” of the board
She fondly remembers the past year: for Christmas 2022, the Achimer Tafel volunteers organized Christmas trees for their customers. According to Bruno Kroen, there will be no such or other special festival activities this year. But that doesn’t matter to Iryna Myrosh. “It’s a big help,” says the Ukrainian about the board. This has “great significance” for her. Iryna Myrosh hopes that she will soon no longer be dependent on the food bank’s donations – she hopes to be able to work in her job as a music teacher in Germany too. That’s why she learns German every day and is currently unemployed.
Meanwhile, the rows have thinned out and the shelves and baskets with food donated by supermarkets and smaller stores are empty. On the next issue day, a Tuesday, it starts all over again – until December 17th. The Achimer Tafel is closed from December 18th to January 5th. But before that, on December 16th, the volunteers will be present publicly once again: at the draw for the Achim city raffle. In addition to the Rotary Club Achim and many volunteers, the facility is one of the sponsors. But that’s not all: the food bank also benefits from the proceeds from ticket sales. Not just during Advent and Christmas.
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Antonia Hegele is the Bavarian Forest Queen of the Forest Owners Association. She tells us which Christmas tree is trendy this year, which trees are particularly sustainable – and why the most sustainable ones are not necessarily the “most beautiful”.
Being with your loved ones, unpacking presents, enjoying the tree and candles: this or similar is how Christmas Eve and Christmas are for most people. But there are places like the Bremen correctional facility – a visit.
2023-12-14 04:29:06
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