Berlin Charity Gives 1,000 Struggling Children a Festive Christmas Feast
Over 1,000 children from struggling Berlin families enjoyed a free Christmas meal this week. The event, organised by charity Die Arche, aimed to highlight the growing financial pressures many households face during the festive season.
The celebration took place at the Berliner Hofbräuhaus on Alexanderplatz. Staff from the venue volunteered their time to prepare and serve a traditional holiday feast. Children dined on roasted poultry, red cabbage, dumplings, and gravy while listening to live Christmas music and meeting Santa Claus.
Die Arche, founded in 1995 by pastor Bernd Siggelkow, supports underprivileged children across Germany. The charity now runs 35 locations, serving around 10,000 to 11,000 children daily with meals, homework help, and leisure activities. Many of these children come from migrant or refugee families. Siggelkow, 61, stressed that more families are finding it difficult to afford even basic festive meals. The charity relies entirely on donations and volunteers to keep its programs running. Events like this one help raise awareness of the hardships faced by low-income families in the city.
The free Christmas meal provided temporary relief for families battling financial strain. Die Arche continues to call for greater support as demand for its services grows. The charity's work remains vital for thousands of children across Berlin and beyond.
