By Cuneyt Karadag
BERLIN (AA) - German food banks are struggling to serve the growing number of people knocking their doors amid a hike in food prices across the country.
Speaking to German news portal Redaktionz Netzwerk Deutschland, Frank Hildebrandt, an official at the country's food bank organization Tafel Deutschland, said the number of those who are applying for food relief has nearly doubled in some areas, while food donations have fallen by 50%.
There is a state of emergency in the distribution of food to needy people amid rising food prices, he added.
Tafel spokesperson Anna Verres stated that the volunteers were at their wit's end.
Michaela Engelmeier, head of the Social Association of Germany (Sozialverband Deutschland), said that many people can no longer afford to buy food.
She went on to say that the work of Tafel across the country deserves respect and appreciation, but the state is responsible for securing a livelihood.