During our Navigator course, we agreed relatively quickly on the social project "Kitchen service in the Vinzi Rast". The Vinzi Rast is an emergency shelter for men where you can stay between 6.30 pm and 8 am for a fee of €2. The daily evening meal is prepared exclusively by volunteers.

As the whole group would have been too big for the kitchen, we split into two groups and were able to help out on two afternoons. We cooked together and for most of us it was the first time we had cooked such large quantities. A total of 60 portions of main courses were prepared, as well as soup and dessert. Social interaction with the guests only took place when the food was being served, but the men were all very friendly and grateful for the dinner.

Our conclusion was that the afternoon was a lot of fun for us as a team and that it is incredibly easy to do something good with little effort in a setting like this. We can recommend the Vinzi Rast to anyone, both for helping out in the kitchen and as a place to donate clothes. The way in which we were welcomed by the volunteers also reflects the way they treat their protégés. 

Author: Corinna Haden