10,000 EUROS FOR “DIE SPEIS” FOODBANK IN GUNZENHAUSEN

Gunzenhausen / Germany – 12. March 2024

The charity organization EnSoXX hilft e.V. has been working closely with “Die Speis” foodbank in Gunzenhausen ever since its founding in 2017 with the backing of the web hoster and data center operator Hetzner Online. Both organizations share the same common goal: helping people in need. EnSoXX hilft e.V.'s founder, Martin Hetzner, holds great respect for the tireless efforts of the longtime volunteers at “Die Speis”, and is therefore donating 10,000 euros to the foodbank together with Katrin Heinzmann from the Heinzmann automotive technology wholesaler and Manfred Nürminger from the company Nürminger Immo & Konzept GmbH (property developer; kitchen, bath, and tile supplier).

Displacement and emergency evacuations, unemployment, strokes of bad luck and illness — there are many reasons that can lead people to suddenly and unexpectedly needing support. And that is exactly what groups like “Die Speis” in Gunzenhausen are for.

For the last 22 years, people in need in the region have been coming to the small foodbank on Hensoltstraße. There, they pay one euro to get the groceries that they urgently need. Much of the food at “Die Speis” comes from grocery stores and supermarkets and is food that they are no longer able to sell or are allowed to sell, but is still safe. In addition to that, other organizations donate food — local bakers and butchers, fruit and vegetable suppliers, and growers from private gardens. All of this is possible because of the dedication of people like Lydia Mägerlein, one of the founding members of “Die Speis”.

“We saw that people who couldn’t make ends meet were in need of our help. Nowadays, over 50 needy families in the area come to us on Tuesdays and Fridays to get their essential groceries,” explained Mägerlein.

To make sure that the services from the foodbank actually go to needy people, the shoppers are given vouchers by social and welfare groups like Caritas and Diakonie.

“Die Speis” is closely associated with the city of Gunzenhausen, Caritas, and Diakonie. “We would not be able to do what we do without assistance from companies like Heinzmann, Hetzner, Nürminger, and Verpa, and the donations we get from private individuals, plus all the volunteers,” stated Mägerlein.

Approximately 40 helpers take care of everything needed for the store, including transporting food and handing it out. One of them is the senior director of Heinzmann KG in Gunzenhausen, Heribert Heinzmann. Together with some of his employees, he has been on the road for “Die Speis” for 18 years, transporting food from grocery stores in the company’s own vans.

“It is one thing to give financial support to large national or international charities, and another thing entirely to be on the ground level in a local organization and lend a hand yourself. You see directly who benefits from our help”, said Heinzmann.

“The continuous support throughout so many years is priceless”, remarked Mägerlein. “And yet, we still need helpers. Anyone who wants to get involved is welcome. We need people to check the donated food, to transport it, and to hand it out. Please give us a call at +49 09831/50260 or stop by the shop”.

In addition to volunteers and many different donated goods, regional companies also provide financial help so that “Die Speis” can purchase staple foods. One company that does this is Nürminger Immo & Konzept GmbH, based in Burgoberbach and Maicha. “For the past several years, we have been helping out with regular donations earmarked for food purchases. For example, we like to see things like urgently needed meat vouchers going out to people in need so they can at least enjoy a Sunday roast here and there. And we’ll keep doing that,” explained Manfred Nürminger.

“We want to provide a small ray of hope for people who live in poverty and on the margins of society”, added Martin Hetzner, who recently pledged 10,000 euros for “Die Speis” at a meeting together with the two managing directors and Lydia Mägerlein.

Martin Hetzner, Lydia Mägerlein, Manfred Nürminger and Katrin Heinzmann (from right to left) celebrating the 10,000 euros donation Photo: Hetzner Online

 

Transport of food donations by the company Heinzmann. Photo: Heinzmann

 

About the non-profit EnSoXX hilft e.V.:

EnSoXX hilft, e.V., which was founded in 2017 by coworkers at Hetzner Online GmbH, is committed to helping people who unexpectedly find themselves in need of quick, non-bureaucratic assistance. Four full-time and parttime employees and 25 volunteers collect and hand out clothes at Café Kleiderkiste, which is located in the former Altmühl Center in Gunzenhausen/Germany. They also provide language courses. You can find details about these projects and more at www.ensoxx-hilft.de.