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.
