Large crowds pose problems for the food banks in Germany. "The situation of the food banks in Germany is more challenging than ever before in the 30-year history," said the chairman of the umbrella organization of the food banks, Jochen Brühl, the German Press Agency.

"We have more customers - at the same time less food is being donated." The panels are at the limit. People with basic security, single parents, pensioners, refugees, homeless people: According to the information, more than two million people are supported by more than 960 panels nationwide.

The Ukraine war and strong price increases have reportedly triggered an enormous influx. More and more people from the low-wage sector, who would otherwise still just make ends meet, are suddenly dependent on the support of the Tafel, said Brühl in Berlin.

This is also noticeable in Germany's second largest city, Hamburg: "There are people who two months ago did not expect that they would ever report to the Tafel," said the managing director of the Hamburger Tafel, Jan-Henrik Hellwege.