American Church Berlin is an amazing experience where volunteers help the local community.
By: Heather Newgen
Germany is known globally for its beautiful landscape, luxury cars, influential contribution to the arts and violent history. But the country has also become known for its thriving economy. According to The World Factbook, Germany has the fifth largest economy in the world. The European country greatly benefits from a highly skilled work force. However, 15.7% of the population are living in poverty.
While the economy is prosperous for many, for others the need is great. The American Church Berlin is helping people in their local community by distributing free food on a weekly basis. Every Friday evening people come to the American Berlin Church and are given free produce, bread and flowers.
When I knew I was going to be in Berlin for a few days I wanted to find an English speaking volunteer opportunity, which proved to be a little challenging. After researching for awhile, I finally found the American Berlin Church who welcomes all volunteers–not just people who know German. Volunteers work at the American Berlin Church on Fridays only from 5:00pm to 7:00pm setting up, handing out food and cleaning up afterwards.
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Heather Newgen volunteering at the American Church Berlin
In just two hours, the church serves an estimated 70-150 people and gives out countless bags of groceries that’s donated by local markets. In addition, the American Church Berlin needs volunteers to help pick up the produce and van driving. Before the doors open, volunteers participate in a prayer circle. There’s another one at the end of your volunteer shift. While I’m Christian and enjoyed the prayer circle, it’s not mandatory. You also don’t need to have any sort of religious affiliation to volunteer at the American Church Berlin. Anyone can give back.
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The amazing group of volunteers I worked with.
The moment I arrived to the American Church of Berlin, I was enthusiastically welcomed and greeted warmly. The staff and regular volunteers were so happy to have an additional person helping out and were all very sweet and really helpful. Since this was my first time to Berlin, I didn’t know how to maneuver public transportation. I’m from Los Angeles and I drive everywhere. So learning international public transportation can be intimidating. I took an Uber to the church to avoid learning the train system. But one of the volunteers walked me to the station afterwards, bought my ticket and told me where to go. It was really thoughtful and just one more reason why I loved volunteering at the American Church of Berlin. The volunteers were amazing.
Heather Newgen volunteering at the American Church Berlin
There’s not anyone who checks in volunteers at the American Church Berlin, so when you arrive you’ll see people gathered in the front area. Someone spotted me and figured I was a volunteer, so they directed me where to go. But you can just walk into the main room where the food is being distributed and let anyone you see know who you are.
Not knowing German wasn’t a huge issue–I don’t speak a word. But it does help if you can speak a little so you can communicate with the people coming in. Volunteers at the American Church Berlin give out the food, people are not allowed to touch the produce. So it was somewhat difficult with those who didn’t speak English. However, the volunteers around me helped with any language barrier I experienced, so it all worked out.
The American Church Berlin is a wonderful opportunity to serve those in need in a loving, kind manner and if you have two hours to spare, I recommend using that time here.
If you’d like to volunteer you can email laibundseele@americanchurchberlin.de