Benefit concert in Reinickendorf: 300 euros collected for the needy!

Benefit concert in Reinickendorf: 300 euros collected for the needy!

On September 27, 2025, a benefit concert took place in the parish of St. Martin in the Märkisches district. The aim of this event was to demonstrate solidarity and support for the needy in Berlin. The concert involved were the Hornetz wind orchestra of the Reinickendorf music school and the men's choir of the Dutch Air Force. The income of the concert flows into the "Laib and Soul" campaign, which has established itself as an important pillar in the fight against poverty in the capital.

Around 300,000 people currently live in poverty in Berlin, which illustrates the need for such support. The Berliner Tafel supplies over 92,000 in need every month, with six output offices also being operated in Reinickendorf. District Mayor Emine Demirbüken-Wegner (CDU) presented a donation check for over 300 euros during the concert to support this important initiative.

Campaign "Laib and Soul"

"Laib and Soul" is supported by the Berliner Tafel, Churches and the RBB. The campaign was founded in 2005 to offer direct help in the form of food. Over 70,000 people benefit from the food distribution per month, which is organized by hundreds of volunteers.

The food is issued in 49 output points in Berlin, which are operated by aid organizations such as the Berliner Tafel. The needy only pay a symbolic price in order to gain access to healthier foods. This helps you save money for other expenses. "The history of Laib and Seele began in 1993 with the founding of the Berliner Tafel," reports the managing director Antje Trölsch, who describes the commitment of the volunteers as "invaluable".

Challenges of aid work

Despite the great commitment, the helpers face challenges. The need for food often exceeds the offer, which makes it difficult to organize food distributions. Therefore, the board actively promotes the establishment of new issuing offices and encourages other Berlin parishes to participate in the campaign. The commitment in this area is both physically exhausting and mentally challenging, especially with inadequate food offering or the need for additional volunteering.

The Johanniter-Accident Aid also supports social projects in which donations are used efficiently and transparently where they are most urgently needed. The organization is regularly checked by independent examiners, including the German Central Institute for Social Questions (DZI), to use the funds to ensure the transparency and effectiveness of the auxiliary measures.

Conclusion: Events such as the benefit concert in the parish of St. Martin are not only a way to collect funds, but also an important sign of solidarity for the needy in our society. Support on the part of politics and civil society remains essential to fight poverty in Berlin in the long term.