Gifts and celebratory meals for the needy: This is how helpful people in Munich were at the festival of charity

Created: 12/27/2021, 06:34 AM

From: Laura Felbinger

Bon appetit: Moritz Haake (left) served needy people like Harald a fine Christmas dinner.

© Jens Hartmann

Don't just think of other people who are not doing so well, but do something specific for them: Many helpers took this to heart at Christmas in Munich and distributed help to those in need.

At Christmas the whole family comes together, there are gifts and delicious food.

But what many people take for granted is a distant dream for others.

They have no family, no home - often not even money for a hot meal.

Fortunately, Christmas is also the festival of charity, and so this year volunteers, social associations and the church have stood up for precisely those people:

Delicious celebratory meals were served, useful gifts were distributed and people sang together.

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Christmas in the state capital: Munich host brothers donate celebratory meals to those in need

The pandemic put many Munich restaurateurs on their Christmas party bills.

Because of the curfew at 10 p.m., there was a hail of cancellations.

The host brothers Moritz and Tim Haake from the “Burger und Lobster Bank” restaurant therefore stayed seated on 200 ducks.

That is a total of 400 servings including red cabbage and dumplings.

But instead of throwing away the good celebratory meal, the Haake brothers distributed it to those in need - at the two AWO Flexi homes at Südpark.

In doing so, they made poor people very happy.

The celebrants of the ecumenical Christmas mass in Munich Central Station: Thorsten Nolting (left) and Augustinus Bauer.

© Markus Götzfried

Christmas in the state capital: Ecumenical Christmas mass at Munich Central Station

There was a very special Christmas fair this year in the middle of the main train station.

In the otherwise hectic place, the station mission ensured contemplation on Christmas Eve.

The ecumenical service was led by the Protestant pastor Thorsten Nolting and the Catholic priest Augustinus Bauer.

Suddenly bright singing resounded through the gigantic hall.

Christmas carols rang out in the main train station.

© Markus Götzfried

Passers-by stopped and listened reverently. For example Michael Jahnke. The physicist happened to pass by on his way to the shop and lingered for a few moments. “I think that's a very nice idea. Everyone is picked up there - no matter who comes, ”he said. In addition to the fair, the station mission on platform 11 offered food and gifts. "There were an extremely large number of people in line," said Jahnke. Employees of the station mission handed out punch, Wiener, rolls and biscuits. In addition to the homeless, there were also older Munich residents in the long line, whose pensions do not allow any luxury. "I also think it's nicer here than at home alone," said Bianca P. (70), who spent Christmas at the main station for the first time this year. Thanks to the Mette and the goodies from the station mission, she had a great party. 

Ludwig Mittermeier, chairman of the Catholic men's welfare association, delivered gifts.

© Markus Götzfried

Christmas in the state capital: presents for the poor in Munich

For the second time in a row, the traditional Christmas dinner for the needy in the Hofbräuhaus has been canceled due to Corona.

But the Catholic Men's Welfare Association, which usually invites you to dinner, has made every effort to sweeten the holidays for poor people.

“We distributed 1200 gifts to various institutions on December 23rd and 24th,” said Ludwig Mittermeier, the association's board member.

There were also over 600 meals from the Hofbräuhaus.

“There was goulash with bread dumplings.

Wherever possible, we warmed them up on site and handed them out, ”reports Mittermeier.

Auxiliary Bishop Rupert Graf zu Stolberg (right) hands Jan-Michael Ivan Christmas presents.

© Markus Götzfried

A good 30 volunteers and several full-time employees were on duty.

Auxiliary Bishop Rupert Graf zu Stolberg also helped, for example with the men's dormitory on Pilgersheimer Strasse.

There the bishop personally gave gifts.

Inside are all sorts of important everyday items such as a backpack, coffee and headphones.

House resident Jan-Michael Ivan (47) is happy: “That was a brilliant idea.

Unfortunately, many people only think of themselves.

So it's nice that something like this still exists today. ”