In Saxony-Anhalt, many needy people rely on social department stores and clothing stores. And because of the Ukraine war, demand has increased again. Almost everything is used.
Halle/Quedlinburg/Magdeburg (dpa/sa) - The social department stores in Saxony-Anhalt are in high demand. The need is already very high, but since more war refugees from Ukraine came in March, the demand has increased enormously, said Heike Angelus, coordinator of the Caritas social department store in Halle, the German Press Agency. Due to new registrations alone, 600 customer cards were issued to refugee families.
In addition, rising consumer prices are causing customers to change. In the past, many Hartz IV recipients used to come to the social department store "Wärme-Harz" in Quedlinburg, but now more and more people who earn the minimum wage are appearing, reported Stephanie Paucke from the supporting association Europa Aktionsforum. "It's changing and growing."
In the social department store in Halle, customers can also get groceries. "We notice that the number of customers has increased because we now have to ration," said Angelus. Some people now come several times a week instead of once a week. Sometimes they waited half an hour to three quarters of an hour. But people don't have to leave the store empty-handed. "There's always something there - maybe not necessarily what you were hoping for."
The willingness to donate among the population was great everywhere due to the Ukraine war. It was also overwhelming in the clothing store in Magdeburg, said the office manager of the DRK regional association Magdeburg-Jerichower Land, Britta Goehring. But: "I knew from experience that the great willingness to donate also decreases again." All donations in kind would be needed. There is a major shortage of men's clothing, as well as women's and men's shoes. "You can support the DRK clothing store with donations in kind, which are in perfect condition."
Everything but books is needed, said Stephanie Paucke from the Europe Action Forum in Quedlinburg. In particular, the demand for household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and microwaves is great. There are hardly any high-quality household resolutions, kitchens are often donated without electrical appliances. According to Paucke, pots and cutlery are also in short supply.
