Elmar Stüttler “table set you”.
©Cath. Vorarlberg Church
Catholic Church Vorarlberg helps with helping
“More people are currently coming to our distribution points,” explains Elmar Stüttler, initiator and driving force behind “Tischlein deck dich”. Elmar Stüttler, also a deacon, helps out of conviction and out of his faith. The Catholic Church in Vorarlberg helps him to help – with financial support at the beginning of the year, which is quickly invested in urgently needed food at “Tischlein deck dich”.
Feldkirch (PDF) There are many people who come to the various “Tischlein deck dich” issuing offices in the regions of the country every week. Helpers there ensure that groceries that can no longer end up in regular sales are given to people for whom shopping has always been a financial stress test. So that the groceries really do reach the right people, they are only handed out against ration coupons issued by the community social welfare office, Caritas, Aktion Leben, Volkshilfe or the IfS.
“Of course, refugees from the Ukraine are also coming to us at the moment. But that is constantly changing. At the moment, however, there are generally more people with us than before. As a rough estimate, I would say that it is currently around 15-20% more,” explains Stüttler, who founded “Tischlein deck dich” as an independent association almost 20 years ago.
He is also very grateful for the support of the diocese of Feldkirch. “This now helps us to be able to buy some urgently needed things.”
Elmar Stüttler and his team are in contact with the country’s grocers three to four times a week. Anything that has reached its sell-by date, is slightly damaged, or has simply been overproduced is no longer available for regular sale. It finds buyers at “Tischlein deck dich”. Distributing instead of throwing away is the motto.
1% help instead of 99% pity
When asked why he is doing all this, Elmar Stüttler laughs and then begins to talk. From the time when he was very ill and consciously asked himself what he really wanted to do with his life. “I also prayed a lot during this time. So I gradually realized that I wanted to give something back, as they say. I am also a deacon and helping people on the fringes is a very important pillar for a deacon.”
Said and done. And since then, “Tischlein deck dich” has been helping. “I always say that 1% help is better than 99% compassion,” Elmar Stüttler adds, adding that it’s nice that the church helps out.
“Table set yourself”
Around 300 volunteers, three civil servants and 10 employees are now working for the “Tischlein deck dich” association.
Around 25 to 30 tons of groceries are moved every week.
Issuing points are in Bludenz, Feldkirch, Götzis, Dornbirn and Bregenz.
