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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[@sterianburghelea6567]

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

[@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.

[@x1borzi405]

Plus his huge wheeled shopping bag was far from being empty! It was at least half full. See at 8:33-35.

[@user-dl1xz3mj3i]

u need to show them the rules otherwise they would do wot they want !

[@ohmeowzer1]

He’s a thug no good what a creep to talk to her that way...not a gentleman just a azz

[@ankurana5302]

Young men was hungry and poor...... Soo he was angry.... 😊

[@chicnoir29]

So many men treat women like this.

[@vividman100]

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

[@OrthodoxDAO]

From Merkel first of all, but she has none.

[@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.

[@stevenjohnson4207]

Unfortunately common sense is rarely used. In the US that has become an extreme issue.

[@RaviKumar5]

Yes, but you can't expect from them to speak German from the first day of their arrival. So, the logic of speaking in German doesn't fit well. If Germany is accepting millions of refugees, then its the responsibility of Germany to provide them food, shelter, and other basic necessities. If you can't do that then shut your borders and serve your native people first.

[@northofyou33]

@@museumsgiraffe8423 I believe in studying the language of the country you live in as well. But not everyone has a facility for learning languages -- especially if they are adults who never spoke more than one language their entire life. Not everyone can fit into your agenda, even though they may try hard to do so.

[@maylai6549]

Nope. Is the other way round. Their intention is to conquer....bear in mind ....

[@stevenjohnson4207]

@@northofyou33 Then they need to leave.

[@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.

[@MrNextMx]

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

[@catsandcrows8880]

They work or study - the Germans that is.

[@hameshaindian4533]

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.

[@simplycomplexbyseamus5715]

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 .

[@pontevedra660]

Thank you!

[@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!

[@freemanmt]

Giorgi Chaduneli well said thank you

[@sarah107]

The answer to that is those Arab Muslim country knows their own people, Europe sad to say where innocent of knowing that willing to help out.

[@Xalgucennia]

Saudi Arabia offered to pay for mosques in Europe, so you can see the agenda here

[@wyntermackenzie4952]

Your point about speaking the language of the country is excellent, BUT what actions are you willing to take if people refuse to the the language? When you propose a rule, you must also propose consequences for breaking it

[@ankurana5302]

Why arab.... All Capitalistic country can help.... By giving whealth to poor nations..... Every poor need food.

[@micjakes1]

Let angela merkel live on this budget.

[@sbvarma06]

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.

[@hopeomonkhegbele4958]

Am a full time student living in Germany. I am always free on my weekends and want to do some volunteer jobs but don't know what to do. I live in a small village. But if you know a way or place I can go to volunteer on my weekends please reply

[@OrthodoxDAO]

Well, foreigners or not, young or not, starting to discriminate now that the country is quite strong will not end well if the country enters a crisis. What are they going to do, turn into cannibals like some Argentinians were forced to during their last crisis? Not to mention that Merkel definitely invited them, until she had to change her mind in order to continue her career. I doubt working people have time or desire for free food, but the unemployed yes, I can see all of them interested, if nothing else to be able to pay the 50 euro monthly for the latest iPhone. Perhaps Germany should consider the US FoodStamps.

[@amyangell2378]

Sad 😢 I thought foreigners get government money so why are they at food bank??

[@edwinsemidey7405]

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

[@onengkusumah2905]

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.

[@stevenjohnson4207]

Exactly

[@cosmopolitanwonder9675]

If Germany never helped in the war on Iraq Syria Afghanistan for the sake of OIL it would not have refugees coming there, as With all countries who have helped UK US Europeans and Saudis to blow up their cities, homes, jobs, live stock and worse of all their families children and old men and women. get out of the Middle East and leave Their oil alone

[@bloodwargaming3662]

@@cosmopolitanwonder9675 good answer

[@maureenbernhardt1934]

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

[@user-dl1xz3mj3i]

how u meant it? We always have this for people who dont have much money so they need to starv like in US where the homeless are everywhere in the streets living in Tents !

[@dongertan3320]

maureen bernhardt Ask the jew bankers.

[@vellabella1]

@@dongertan3320 ...really you have not evolved from the Nazi racist views. It has been 80 yrs now?

[@johnnyclean8233]

Actually, im quite shocked that a country as wealthy as Germany has such bad welfare for older Germans. I'm very saddened myself. It makes me so angry when I read about oligarchs building a new half billion dollar boat for themselves. The disparity between the super rich and poor has never been more evident. France is protesting over the same issues. Same as England. And America yet wars wage one with endless money for bombs and weapons.

[@chicnoir29]

Johnny Clean Well said.

[@afiqamran860]

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.

[@EVALLOYD]

Afiq Amran: I read your post and an interesting point of view from someone who is a Muslim. Sadly though what we are seeing today in most European countries are hordes of immigrants, who are for the most part muslim, who don't share your way of thinking.

[@juggernaut2-555]

Well said

[@jlw1492]

The saying is Charity begins at home.

[@myrongunnar1518]

Not racists- Smart countrymen and woman.

[@dwindows1976]

It’s not a food bank if the recipients in need of help are paying customers buying discounted food, nonetheless great community effort.

[@warriorfortruth2838]

i agree on that. lot of these charities get grants to run their business.

[@warriorfortruth2838]

they get grants

[@flipKumar]

Great work !!

[@PeterWoodstorrechianca]

some of the people who are 65 look 95, whats going on in Germany?

[@norbertbarthold9048]

Peter Woods, Torre Chianca. microwave and chemtrails

[@katlincha8446]

They smoke too much.

[@jackkruese9929]

Sadly poverty ages people

[@janikb3538]

White peoples age badly

[@AllIsWellaus]

I'm glad to say that New Zealanders help people because of their need. At food banks, people are not screened for their nationality. I feel it's a disgrace that they are here.

[@wyntermackenzie4952]

It is disquieting to see the patrons of the food bank just sitting around, waiting for their handouts. Why aren't they taking out the trash, unloading the trucks, organizing the food? People value what they pay for, either in labor or with money [which you get for labor].

[@ajrwilde14]

Because they're there for the service, they don't work there so they're not going to do the tasks of the staff.

[@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?

[@lunafringe10]

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

[@007mia7]

“Sometimes I can’t afford to go to the hair dresser” 😑

[@m1ndfckd]

Mia DoubleZeroSeven that's like 30 € here in cologne

[@summerisonthursday5239]

I know. Cut your own hair then! Like I have to.

[@thinkcat01]

Summer is on Thursday How do you cut your own hair if one had a short hair and especially at the back of the head?

[@janethockey9070]

Western cluelessness

[@caorusso4926]

30 € man, that so expensive, in some south american countrys you live a entire week with this money.

[@michikawadoyle943]

When I watched this.. it gives me some creative mind on how to, set up one food banks in my own country. Thanks for the video. I am planning all this stuff to help those in need..

[@mommas2470]

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.

[@pontevedra660]

Thank you for helping all the people of the world!!!

[@randzopyr1038]

How is it racist if it's done based on citizenship? Citizenship/nationality isn't race.

[@hedycampbell586]

Clearly the volunteers are like saints, carrying the load for the rest, and without them conditions would be absolutely horrific. Respect!

[@willdehne1]

I know a number of young people who will not search for work if given a basic income (annuity) or basic shelter and food. Encouraging this is not good for anybody including these young people.

[@xponen]

it is just food; like vegetables, banana, and yogurt, it is not something they could enjoy anyway. Maybe these young people have income but they are desperate enough to buy thrash food like this.

[@isunlloaoll]

A quote from this video gives a perfect response to your comment. "There will always be people taking advantage of a system, but that doesn't mean we should stop helping those who need help..."

[@Agentinus]

No one will life like that by free will. It's shows that you have no understanding of the situration this popel live in. Some become ill and can't work anymore others worked all ther life but cound't save enough mony for the pension, because of the bad Salary.

[@thinkcat01]

Agentinus They are people who like to buy cheap goods. They are plenty of them just to save some money.

[@ankurana5302]

THAT IS MOTO OF CAPITALISM...... THAT WOULD BE FULLFILL

[@w.a.watson3078]

"Sometimes I can't even go to the hairdresser". So getting hair done is more important then food?

[@x1borzi405]

No, but it is important at least twice a year.

[@thinkcat01]

W.A. watson You need to cut your hair, otherwise, the hair will grow very long and uncomfortable and it is also very hard to wash if the hair is too long.

[@sandydallas9877]

W.A. watson What's wrong with her wanting to look nice? I would be angry too if I worked all my life and contributed to my country and through no fault of my own I became too sick to work and then see migrants with 5 kids get food, housing , medical and a host of other freebies . On top of all of that they refuse to even learn the language, now that's gratitude for you.

[@gugo3203]

>You either cut your hair or eat That's capitalism in a nutshell

[@vellabella1]

@@gugo3203 wow, well I cannot disagree

[@rajarajab8143]

Helping each other also helps a country to grow in peace

[@ohmeowzer1]

The older lady Doris is very nice .i like her laugh..what a sweetheart..she is such a good soul God Bless her

[@berylackermann8240]

One needs to take care of their citizens.

[@vellabella1]

Nothing wrong with bruised bananas...smoothies, banana bread, fried dumplings etc. No food should be wasted. Even stale old bread, If it.is.not usable, feed the birds

[@tigerhong1]

Why doesn't that young man volunteer and ask to work there to get something. Have some respect for these elderly people volunteering.

[@ryanwitt5467]

I don’t get it. The guy is mad that the store doesn’t have much to give because they’re effective at determining proper levels of food consumption. Yet he complains later of how wasteful society is? This whole video reeks of entitlement and virtue signaling on both sides

[@annatoledo1394]

That Male Refugee! Very hard-headed. He should be glad that Germany accepted him as a Refugee. He should not bring that kind of attitude with him in Germany. Sad truth...

[@bushcraftandastronomer.3775]

Nobody should be using food banks. Peaple shouldn't starve. Governments don't care!

[@slonold3554]

"Sometimes I can't even afford to go to the hairdresser". Well, Lady if you are begging for free food, you should not be going to any hairdresser period. What is next? You have to skip manicure?

[@ciaas70]

Oh you don't know that hair dresser is probably once a year ... It's not a crime to be a elder woman who looks after her self. Mind she has grandkids to look at her as a example

[@ahuehuete4703]

"hair dresser" probably means just a simple haircut. Something that costs maybe 10 Euros. And judging from her looks she hasn't had a trim in quite a while.

[@ingerfalch-jacobsen1717]

You obviously don't know the concept of "split ends". Oh, the horror. Consider yourself privileged.

[@amyangell2378]

She can't cut it herself so she goes to have it cut

[@banditd6551]

respect 🙇🙇🙇

[@katmanclancy]

Charity begins at home!

[@debbieframpton3857]

I am 67 I have been helping at my church food pantry for 6 years we have noticed since the pandemic our numbers have went down

[@danamay1718]

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.

[@johnnyclean8233]

If you are German you should have first priority. If you a German national then you worked all your life as a German citizen. I feel for everybody but I don't think its fair that German nationals are starving because young refugees are aggressive, ruthless and dishonest about getting food for themselves. This is going to deeply divide Germans and refugees. Young Germans should fight for the older Germans because one day they to will be old. If you dont help the elderly then why should the younger generation be helped. Its outrageous that a country like Germany has pensioners without enough money to survive on.

[@tushyranx5860]

A good venture

[@robertsmith5744]

Use a "Food Stamp" program like the USA. In addition to the food banks. Credit for each adult and child under 18. The Credits are spent only on certain items and at certain locations, Simple.

[@Kajiyaification]

You mean like there is alreay in place? Also food stamps dont work in the US so dont try to act like you know what youre talking about. You know nothing about other countries and apparently your own. Go back and fight your civil war lol

[@user-dl1xz3mj3i]

How can US Government feeds those thousands of homeless people in all cities of US?

[@thinkcat01]

Beautiful Monster They give out foodstamp and that is why U.S. is in huge debt.

[@macioluko9484]

When it comes to urgent health care, food and education, the profit margin does a lot more harm than good at times.

[@AprilSunshine]

Angels do indeed live on earth, in the form of these women!

[@davidharrison6615]

these peole need bouncers to control the animals who cause trouble so the old folks stand a chance .

[@goddessuniverse8231]

Also many companies will help sponsor your food bank but they will need your portfolio and your story of why you need the food ! So make sure you bring the right group of people with you too get the support you need !

[@PP-vf1kx]

Food banks started out with good intentions... but when something is handed out for free,you’re bound to attract all sorts of undesirables,scavengers, free loaders n the take for granted crowds ...basically human nature

[@Ashwill57]

I don't like descrimination but I can accept this

[@blancabulgrin5560]

Once you let them in they demand no

[@thanhmansour3490]

I'd love to visit Cologne one day and donate to the cause of feeding the hungry. I already do donations here in the US, but it's good to help others too.

[@sandrakuijpers5336]

In Koloon?

[@formercanadiancitizen4756]

I really hate to say this but I’m a construction worker of over 30 years in Canada and broke my back and so ended up having to survive on the food bank industrial complex and yeah, immigrants are the majority at the food banks here, very very pushy! I also have witnessed on countless occasions where they try to game the system as well as lying about how many people are in their particular household, when confronted by the workers at the food banks about such things they become hostile, WOW, when I see so from else where pulling up to a food bank with a flashy car I’m furious. Seems that all governments have kicked the persons who actually built their respective countries to the curb. Food banks are a sign of a crooked capitalist system

[@sgn4899]

Still way more poverty in the USA proportionally than in western Europe because of less support for the needy, but German government can and should do better and not leave it to food banks, as one guy said.

[@listontheodore2705]

I wander people who throw food and others are hunger.

[@paulieheydrich9772]

the whole worlds knows go to Germany or America for the free shit .yet the middle class the ones who worked harder than the rest have to pay?sad

[@wilmeramador1169]

If you want to blame anyone you have to look up, not down.

[@jamal76US]

Free shit in America what are you smoking John Douch I've been living here since 20 years work 2 jobs I never get anything for free. Don't know about Germany never been there.

[@isunlloaoll]

The 1% of America owns majority of America's wealth. How about you blame them before you blame the poor who have nothing. Do you have the balls to blame the elites? Maybe not, because you must worship them like gods.

[@ehm2943]

John Doe it's not free. It's entitlement from those who contributed - paid income tax and many tax . There is nothing free in us other than opportunity to work ur money.(currently being scammed by comrades).

[@user-dl1xz3mj3i]

@@jamal76US yes unemployed people will all get help ..money for foods..apartments..free healthcare and Educations

[@kathleenhurst8524]

They have to do what they got to do...

[@sonamtshering3570]

Love you Germany. Please immigrants and refugees, behave well and respect them for their tremendous kindness. My God bless all the kind souls.

[@Willem654]

I used to donate to our local foodbank until foreign neighbours arrived where the whole neighbourhood complained about, eventually they couldn't afford their rent. Luckily there are more peaceful neighbours now.

[@skyemasterson1111]

It's a different problem here. Many Super Markets, simply dump it the landfill. Go to LastWeekTonight on KZbin and see for yourself. Search for "Food Waste.

[@tupachussain]

the choice is either blame the fact 1% hold so much money and a man can own 100 billion in personal wealth or listen to the media owned by these same 1% and blame the foreigners they allowed in as a distraction.

[@northsolflowers7582]

The pot is boiling and the frogs are becoming sardines.

[@Seansshadows]

A hungry person is a angry person,when your hungry you have only one thought on your mind when your fed ,you have thousands of thoughts.

[@rohitkhosla8110]

All third world citizens know how to game the system. It is how they survived in their home country. There is no hope for that generation. Maybe the next generation will be better. But experience from France says it is not so.

[@ABMW-tech]

the other side of Germany?

[@RaviKumar5]

No, this is the only side all over Germany

[@NoirHammer]

No one should be turned away. However, those that paid into the system for many years, the German citizens, need to get theirs first. You can't have a society set up where your citizenry goes without. Whatever's left over goes to the migrants. Dealing with infants and children should be under the discretion of the food bank in question.

[@onevillageincolor608]

Free Food. I will come. -Igor

[@lauraguerra6450]

There are working poor, pensioners' poor and unemployed people but according to the comments the problem is immigration. Yeah, right.

[@rileyemel9913]

A wonderful example of private enterprises taking the place of an ineffective bureaucratic government.

[@islanddweller3674]

The bitter person who complained that sometimes she could not afford to to go the HAIRDRESSER!

[@joanhuffman2166]

Why is there no link where we the viewers can donate? Americans are actually pretty generous in the matter of private donations.

[@mishabear703]

people are human, regardless of where they originate from - this is so sad.. the poor fighting each other over basic needs, their to busy too see, that this can be better while the rich becomes richer because the government keeps pushing policies to shrink the middle class.

[@goddessuniverse8231]

Do u guys have community gardens or y’all with Starbucks, Starbucks donates packaged food after the close with food leftover !

[@Davman316]

I've went short of food quite a few times in the UK and I don't smoke though I do like buying 10 small bottles of beer from Asda for 3.50. I feel like I'm existing rather than living. Being sick and on benefits under the Conservatives is soul destroying. I've never been to a food bank but sometimes I think about it. This should not happen in our rich countries.

[@isunlloaoll]

You are absolutely right. UK's GDP per capita is around $40,000 USD. That means each year, each person produces that much wealth. The problem is that wealth is disturbed very unfairly. The top 1% owns pretty much owns as much wealth as the 99%. If we just put a cap on how much wealth a person can get, that money would start to trickle down, instead of being stored in some offshore tax haven.

[@krantigouripur5925]

They should make street food and sell for less price like in India people will feel proud for buying and not begging and also they get Nutrition and also they would not be biases based on race coz who pays eats.

[@MrDaigoRiki]

I’ve heard recently that the German gov helps people and they cover a lot of gas and electricity bills.

[@marinadubois7347]

The able bodied who receive the food should help the volunteers.

[@northofyou33]

People are in need mostly because of those anonymous companies that just keep profiting.

[@irenenabitaka7057]

UN should contribute too. Help this family.

[@goddessuniverse8231]

Safeway also helps with Foodnfor the homeless and they contribute too food banks , u should talk with local and Restaurants to help Orphans , Youth, homeless , disabled , seniors and veterans

[@cringegod1465]

is it just me or are the only ethnically germans left all above 50?

[@tatiekbokings7930]

DW DOCS ARE ALWAYS BENEFITS NEWS😎🥰♥️

[@ahuehuete4703]

Interesting that the old man said that the government should do feed the poor. It has not crossed his mind that his government is insolvent and that even with sky high taxes it can't pay for everything.

[@dylanblack8487]

It is insolvent thanks to it own incompentence, why should the people pay for that?

[@krantigouripur5925]

There should be things to buy for both rich and poor

[@quirkyquips9915]

Truth is, America has similar issues. Both points of view shared by its citizens as does Germany. Other countries have the same problems I'd guess.

[@phatnsauceytvbighapps4085]

People got lazy! Get back to the basics and plant a garden! Raise a few chickens.

[@ajrwilde14]

How if the price of land is way beyond their reach idiot.

[@amyangell2378]

Yes garden is a good idea👍

[@agentsmidt3209]

Say what you will about the U.S but you wouldn't find a refugee bumping off an elderly in line, he'd get his ass whooped.

[@lafl1380]

Hair dresser vs hunger

[@riverdeep399]

This isn't going to go down well with the economic/benefit migrants entitled attitude. I agree with the move. You need to help yourself/your own before you can help anyone else.

[@wajihfadel4516]

To be fair my syrian friend tells me essen has the largest population of syrians and turks, so ummmm im kinda not surprised it started there.

[@stephanieal-sabah5898]

It should not the government taking care of them, it should be the churches, individuals and private charities.

[@ajrwilde14]

No they pay high taxes, they should get something back.

[@julietrojas651]

The problem with those in the "churches" are,their members are the ones feedingtheir leaders.

[@richardgoode5314]

Germany as a country in divide by poverty.A goverment in support of a people. In as investment by inferstructure with a industry. As a volume in export to increase.

[@InfAlcaL]

It's sad to see 1st world countries having such problems. Imagine the second/third world ones and this doesn't sound so bad. I think DW documentary channel should focus on those more and see the true horrors of our world. No disrespect but all I ever see on this channel is 1st world problems, or 3rd world countries that suffer from 1st world exploitation and exploitation of the current capitalist system.

[@twangel46]

We have = me 600 euros amonth, husband 220 a month to keep us both and five dogs, eleven cats,justwe cantpay big bills

[@Sheepy007]

Why the hell do you have so many pets?

[@wongwingsang3036]

Wow thought germany was a wealthy country

[@shaclo1512]

Wong Wing Sang It is, but you only get a good pension if you work fulltime and pay your pension insurance while you are young. If not, you will end like those people you see in this video.