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Brandenburg’s food banks buckle under record demand as poverty deepens

Long queues and empty shelves reveal a hidden crisis. With living costs soaring, even welfare benefits can’t shield the most vulnerable from hunger.

In this image there is a super market, in that super market there are groceries.
In this image there is a super market, in that super market there are groceries.

Increasing demand at food banks in Brandenburg - Brandenburg’s food banks buckle under record demand as poverty deepens

Food banks across Brandenburg are struggling to meet a sharp rise in demand. More people than ever—especially pensioners and refugees—now rely on these services for basic supplies. Yet, as need grows, many centres face shortages, long queues, and logistical hurdles.

The surge in demand has built up over years, driven by rising poverty and social hardship. More residents depend on welfare benefits like Bürgergeld, while adjustments to social security payments fail to keep up with living costs. Economic pressures—such as higher healthcare, housing, and fuel expenses—have also pushed vulnerable groups, including single parents, the unemployed, and protection seekers, to seek help.

The crisis reflects broader economic pressures, with food banks in Brandenburg stretched beyond capacity. Without more resources or donations, the gap between demand and supply is likely to widen. For now, vulnerable residents face longer waits and tighter restrictions on essential aid.

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