Corona and inflation increase child poverty

Created: 06/26/2022, 3:00 p.m

By: Christiane Mühlbauer

The management team: (from left) Kristina Haßmann (Deputy Chair), Cilly Peterhoff (Chair), Gabi Fuchs (Third Chair) and Judith Steinberger (former Deputy Chair) © private

The association "Paten für Kinder" has now presented its annual report.

The balance sheet is sobering.

More supporters are being sought.

Lenggries – For many years, the Lenggries-based association “Paten für Kinder” has been taking care of girls and boys in the region whose families are not on the sunny side of life for financial reasons.

At the annual meeting, it became clear that the need for help has increased due to the corona pandemic.

"The number of direct aids has increased," said Chairwoman Cilly Peterhoff.

53 children were directly supported by the association.

This also included emergency aid for corona-related financial bottlenecks.

Fundraising has decreased

According to Peterhoff, over 14,000 euros were passed on to needy children and young people.

"However, the amount of donations has dropped, so that the association urgently needs donations in order to be able to continue its work on a similar scale in the new financial year," said the chairman.

Especially for music lessons, sports or homework support, the support usually only runs for one year.

"We now have to calculate so that the financing remains secure."

“We definitely want to continue our work”

In addition, with longer-term contracts such as music lessons or therapy sessions, one must now also consider whether the family can really make the necessary personal contribution for the period.

"This is a new aspect because of the rising prices and possible loss of wages in the fall," said Peterhoff, adding: "The association would like to continue its work and is happy about any donation from private individuals or companies." The association works with youth welfare organizations, the youth welfare office, schools, job centres, school social workers, music schools and sports clubs.

Advice is also provided through telephone calls and home visits.

At just under 230 euros, the administrative costs were very low, they are less than three percent of the donations, according to the annual report.

Music lessons and lunchtime supervision possible

A total of 70 children and young people were cared for in the past financial year, some children received help in various forms several times, Peterhoff reported.

For example, they receive guitar and piano lessons, can go to teakwondo or receive financial support for holiday activities.

Beds and clothing were also organized.

More money was spent to pay for children's lunchtime care or school preparation.

There was also a travel allowance to get to the internship site.

The association has 42 members.

There was a small change in the team when the board was elected.

Judith Steinberger, the long-time deputy chairperson, left.

The post is now held by Kristina Hassmann.

She was also previously active in the management team.

Cilly Peterhoff remains chairperson, with Gabi Fuchs continuing as third chairperson.

More information about the association online at www.patenverein-oberlandn.de or by email to patenverein@yahoo.com.

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By the way: Everything from the region is now also available in our regular Bad Tölz newsletter.