Cold spell illustrates need for clothes donations


According to climate researchers, Germany is experiencing the coldest winter in 22 years.

Even in Kaiserslautern, recent temperatures were below freezing for several days.
A cold spell can be dangerous for homeless people, who don’t have a place to stay.
“That’s why the City of Kaiserslautern is running a place called Glockestubb, where these people can get warm clothes and warm meals,” said Joachim Färber, chief of the Kaiserslautern social department. “Scarves, gloves, clean, warm underwear, blankets and sleeping bags are the most needed items.”

Anybody able to donate clothes can drop them off from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fridays at the Glockestubb, Pariser Strasse 23, or in a special container put up in the foyer of the Rathaus, or city hall. Kaiserslautern’s hostel for homeless, St. Christopherusheim, Logenstrasse 4, also accepts donations from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

“It is important that donations won’t get thrown out,” said Jürgen Hoffmann-Biondo from the social department. “Everything the Glockestubb has no use for will be given to charity organizations.”
(Courtesy of the City of Kaiserslautern)