The work of charities is not over. In recent weeks, the queues at the delivery points for surplus food have been getting longer. “We can distribute much more food to the needy than we have,” says Sabrina Munz, spokesperson for the Swiss food bank. Every day, the Foundation collects around 18 tons of excess grocery shopping from retailers such as Migros, Coop, Lidl and Aldi, and distributes them free of charge to 450 distribution points with 36 vehicles. These are soup kitchens, social institutions, homeless shelters and women’s shelters.
This is how Munz learns firsthand that more people depend on support. “We are currently getting more questions from our customers about whether they can buy more food than usual,” Munz says. “The queues in front of social institutions have gotten really long.” Since these numbers are not recorded, he cannot decide whether there will be a new record.
Queues of people in front of the Incontro club
A glimpse of Zurich’s Langstrasse: the hotel and cultural center on one side, and the main train station on the other, with people queuing for food. Starting from 17:30, the Incontro association distributes hot meals and food to the needy every day and in all weather conditions. Sister Ariane, 49, founder of the Incontro association, confirms that the situation is getting worse. “We are currently feeling a new wave of refugees from Ukraine. People come from Kiev, but also from the east and south of the country.”
But not only from the war zone in Europe, people come here at least once a day to have something hot. “Those in need include refugees from Ukraine and the Middle East, migrant workers from Eastern Europe and Great Britain who are often homeless, men and women from the surrounding areas, the elderly and families in poverty, and the Swiss homeless.”
People patiently line up, a bit hidden but still visible to visitors of Europaallee, the new luxury mile in the heart of Zurich.
Institutions introduce the numbering system
Munz from the Swiss food bank also reported that those in need waited several hours before distribution points opened “to get the freshest food”. Munz: “Many institutions have introduced a number system so that everyone really gets a chance.” Currently, it is the influx of Ukrainian refugees that is driving the growing need for food and donations. As of Monday, 67,621 people from Ukraine received S protection status from the federal authorities. With a little delay, those on the poverty line, suffering from inflation, are now arriving.
It’s not a marginal phenomenon: In 2020, 722,000 people in Switzerland lived below the poverty line. That is 8.5 percent of the population. According to Caritas Switzerland, 1.3 million people are at risk of poverty. Sales figures are increasing rapidly in Caritas markets, where registered needy people can stock up on discounted food and household goods.
Caritas markets expect peak in 2023
Stores recorded higher sales and frequency in October for the third time compared to the previous year. “This says one thing: Significantly more people are buying (frequency) on the Caritas market, and also in larger quantities,” says Caritas Switzerland spokesperson Lisa Fry. It awaits the summit with a delay in the spring of 2023. Then, when higher heating costs were noticed in utility bills, health insurance premiums soared and higher electricity prices hit consumer products.
Helpers attack
Alex Stähli (55), managing director of Tischlein Deck Dich, directly observes the increase in demand at distribution points: “Many delivery points have reached their capacity limits, especially in city centres.” Helpers are on the attack: “Effective food assistance is a big challenge, clubs are totally overwhelmed right now and so they need to know their limits,” says Stähli.
Tischlein Deck Dich, like the Schweizer Tafel, is soon saving food from destruction to deliver it to those in need at 149 distribution points across Switzerland. Just like at the Heilig Kreuz Catholic Church in Altstetten, Zurich: Most fresh produce, such as vegetables, fruit or bread, is delivered within an hour, leaving only a few ready-made sauces or sweeteners. 50 people filled their shopping bags here to meet their own and their families’ needs.
The need for food aid will continue to grow: “We are constantly expanding our range of services and this year we will be able to take care of 300 to 400 more families,” explains Stähli. However, he also knows that food aid alleviates the need a little bit, but it cannot eliminate poverty.