Darmstadt (dpa/lhe) - Inflation, rising energy and food prices or the war in Ukraine: More and more people in Hesse are looking for the help of the Tafel. The number of people in need has risen by 35,000 to more than 135,000 this year, including 25,000 from Ukraine alone, said Willi Schmid, chairman of the Hessian Food Bank Association. The willingness to donate increased during the Christmas season. "We get a lot of donations from the private sector and also from companies that don't give Christmas presents to customers."

Money and groceries, which the around 960 food banks nationwide can use in light of double-digit inflation and skyrocketing costs. Due to the rapidly increasing number of people in need, the facilities are reaching their limits. According to Schmid, financial aid of 2.2 million euros from the Hessian Ministry of Social Affairs helped the food banks.