With the rising prices for fuel, heating, energy and the higher minimum wage, the food banks in Saxony are becoming increasingly overwhelmed. Therefore, they hope for help from the public sector.
Dresden (dpa / sn) - Rising operating and energy costs and declining willingness to donate are making the food banks in Saxony increasingly difficult. "I don't know how to proceed," said Werner Wehmer, chairman of the board of the Leipzig food bank. The increase in the minimum wage and fuel prices alone would result in additional costs of around 72,000 euros next year. The rising energy costs are not yet taken into account. In a letter to Lord Mayor Burkhard Jung (SPD), he hopes to be able to bring about a concession from Stadtwerke Leipzig, at least with regard to energy costs.
According to Wehmer, the Leipziger Tafel supplies around 18,000 people with food every month. No new customers are currently being accepted.
Tafel Chemnitz pays around 8,300 euros a month for electricity, district heating and water. She expects this amount to triple next year, said managing director Christiane Fiedler. Around 1,000 euros a month were incurred for fuel alone. "A nightmare." She does not yet know how the rising costs could be paid for. Especially since the donations from companies would decrease. But: "The panel always lives from one day to the next," said Fiedler. The principle of hope applies.
"If there is no state aid, we will have to increase our share of the operating costs for our customers in order to be able to guarantee continued operation at all," said Alrik Schumann from the Board of Directors of Tafel Dresden. "We cannot look to the future. However, we will continue to save food and help people."
