Tafel Deutschland e.V.

Our Mission

There is plenty of food for everyone in Germany, yet many people live in deprivation. The Tafel strive for a fairer balance, engaging volunteers for disadvantaged people in their area. The Federal Association Deutsche Tafel supports and represents more than 900 local Tafel initiatives in Germany. These initiatives collect quality surplus food and distribute it free of charge or for a symbolic amount to socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. The Tafel belongs to one of the largest social movements in Germany. The main tasks of the Federal Association include: Securing nationally operating partners and sponsors for the local Tafel initiatives; Representing the political, economic and social interests of the local Tafel initiatives; Communicating the Tafel initiatives to the media as well as to the public; Sharing best practices, communicating with and advising the local initiatives; Supporting the founding of new local Tafel initiatives. Currently the Tafel are struggling with supporting the increasing number of refugees coming to them for help, and the National Association has started a fund that the Tafel initiatives can apply for money out of in order to fund special projects and increasing needs related to the growing number of people in need of help. The United Nations Refugee Agency estimates that there are more than 60 million displaced people worldwide. The number of people seeking protection in Germany is higher than ever before. In 2012 more than 65,000 people applied for asylum. Over 800,000 applications are expected by the end of 2015. The Tafel in Germany are open to refugees and we support them with fast emergency aid and would also like to increase the number of sustainable integration projects. The Tafel are there for all people who need help. In addition to the refugee camps, the Tafel are one of the first places in Germany that incoming refugees go to for assistance. To meet this challenge, we need more support. Here is what donations support: *More than 920 Tafel in Germany collect food for more than 3.000 distribution sites. *Already 150,000 refugees come to the Tafel for help *Refugees are not isolated at the Tafel. We work to reduce prejudice, strengthen integration and dialogue. *The Tafel are a contact point for refugees to access further counseling options. *Many special projects in addition to immediate aid: clothing, bicycles, German lessons, escorting to various municipal authorities. *Integration of refugees in volunteer structures. *Projects aimed at integration and understanding, for example, community cafes, cooking evenings with refugees and Germans, during which everyone can share their experiences. Increasing numbers of patrons means more work and the need for more space and commitment. Your donation helps us not to have to turn away people in acute need. We promote and quality our volunteers for the special challenges presented by refugees . Donations make projects possible that go above and beyond the distribution of food: cooking courses, community cafes, clothing donations, anti-racism projects and collection points for household goods or bicycles.