Munich railway mission provides food and shelter year-round

BR reports that the Munich railway station mission provides food, clothing and a warm place to people in need throughout the year, echoing the story of St Martin sharing his cloak with a cold beggar.

Sarah Baumer, a social work student who has been volunteering there since September, serves coffee, tea and bread with jam or lard. “We give people the help they need in that moment,” she said.

The mission’s clothing room offers jackets, shoes, hats and sleeping bags. Co-director Bettina Spahn said demand rises as the weather gets colder. She described the service as a place where people share their circumstances and needs.

Fritz, who has no home, visits two or three times a day. He said the mission gives him somewhere safe and warm to spend a few hours in the morning and afternoon. Dieter, another visitor, said the coffee, warm room and welcoming atmosphere were important to him.

The ecumenical service opens to people in need 365 days a year and has about 175 paid and volunteer workers.