The photo shows Christian Männlin (left) and (from right) Marianne Jaschke and Siegfried Faix from BESTMINDS visiting the Landwasser retirement home with its director Friedlinde Schönberg (second from left).
In Germany, more and more people are affected by poverty in old age. Especially in urban areas such as Freiburg, many older people are confronted with financial difficulties that far exceed their budget. Loneliness, social isolation, and lack of participation are common consequences. The Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO) Freiburg is addressing these challenges with a practical and effective concept: social lunches in its senior citizens' residences. BESTMINDS GmbH has been supporting this commitment for years with targeted donations that have an impact beyond the material.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, around 20 percent of people over the age of 65 in Germany live at or below the poverty line (as of 2024). Single women, people with interrupted employment histories, and people with low pensions are particularly affected. These challenges are clearly visible in retirement homes: the monthly pension is often only enough to cover the bare necessities. A balanced, hot lunch, which should be a natural part of everyday life, becomes a luxury expense for many.
There is also the social aspect to consider. As people age, their personal networks and regular interpersonal contacts often shrink. Everyday life becomes quieter and conversations become less frequent. Care services and mobile assistance providers do valuable work, but they rarely have time for social interaction. This is exactly where AWO Freiburg comes in with its lunch tables.
AWO Freiburg offers daily lunch for elderly residents at several of its facilities, including the Landwasser retirement home. From Monday to Friday, seniors receive a full meal consisting of soup, a main course, and dessert. The best part is that people on a small pension receive the meal at a significantly reduced price. The difference is covered by donations, such as those from BESTMINDS.
It's not just about nutrition, but also about community. The meeting places offer a space for conversation where people can see each other, be heard, and be part of a lively social interaction for an hour a day. AWO employees not only serve the food, but also listen, engage in conversation, and create an atmosphere of appreciation. Many guests report that lunch is often their only daily contact with other people.
As an executive search boutique focusing on the life sciences / pharma, medical technology, IT / media, and healthcare sectors, we are very familiar with social developments. Supporting AWO Freiburg is part of our long-term commitment to social responsibility. Demographic developments also have a direct impact on the world of work: the shortage of nursing staff, the increasing importance of services for senior citizens, and the responsibility of employers in the context of social sustainability require new perspectives.
With our donation to AWO Freiburg, we want to not only provide short-term help, but also set an example: for responsible entrepreneurship, for valuing older generations, and for providing concrete help where it is needed.
On January 22, 2014, a delegation from BESTMINDS visited the Landwasser retirement home to see for themselves how the donations were being used. In conversation with Friedlinde Schönberg, the facility's director, the immediate impact of the donations became clear: residents who previously could only afford one or two hot meals per week now participate regularly, which has a visibly positive effect on their well-being.
The lunch tables at AWO Freiburg are an example of how real quality of life can be created with manageable resources. They combine the three essential elements of nutrition, social interaction, and dignity, which are particularly important in old age.
In an aging society, it is becoming increasingly important to systematically promote such initiatives. Managers should view social responsibility as part of their company's strategic orientation. Job applicants and skilled workers increasingly appreciate it when their employer demonstrates social impact.
