On December 28, the "Nachschlag" soup kitchen, operated by the Advent-Wohlfahrtswerk e.V. (AWW), transformed the local Adventist church hall into a space of warmth and holiday cheer. More than 170 people in need were served a festive multi-course meal, marking a significant highlight in the charity’s annual calendar.
A New Standard of Hospitality
The doors to the festively decorated hall, located on Carl-Goerdeler-Straße, opened at 11:45 AM to a crowd of guests, some of whom had been waiting since 10:00 AM. To manage the high demand and ensure a calm atmosphere, the team introduced a new entry system, this year, using seating assignment tokens. This allowed 120 guests to dine inside the hall comfortably, while another 50 received high-quality "to-go" meals.
Reinhard Knobloch, the volunteer head of the soup kitchen, emphasized that the initiative is about more than just food. "Everyone is welcome here. We don’t ask anyone to explain why they are seeking our help," Knobloch stated. "This approach restores dignity to people who often find themselves in tragic or difficult life circumstances."
A Gourmet Experience
The menu offered a level of culinary sophistication that surprised many first-time attendees. Guests were served: a fresh salad garnished with eggs; a main course of vegetarian schnitzel, red cabbage, and two varieties of dumplings; and a dessert of warm, fragrant apple crumble served with vanilla ice cream.
True to the kitchen's name—Nachschlag (meaning "seconds")—service staff invited guests to have additional helpings. One guest was overheard praising the quality: "I didn’t expect something this delicious today. The entire menu was like being in a gourmet restaurant. My compliments to the kitchen team."
Spiritual Encouragement and Community Spirit
The afternoon was enriched by music and reflection. Denis Brajlovic provided lively piano accompaniment for a communal Christmas carol sing-along. Dr. Christoph Berger, a pastor and third-time guest, delivered a message of hope.
"Our lives and human history are often marked by broken promises," Dr. Berger noted. "But when God became man, His name was 'Immanuel', which is a promise in itself: God with us! We don't have to navigate life or understand it by ourselves. We can move into 2026 knowing we are not alone."
As the event concluded, each guest was presented with two gift bags: one containing daily essentials and another filled with fresh clementines, kiwis, and oranges.
Behind the Scenes: A Half-Year Effort
Over 80 volunteers managed the event’s logistics, from food preparation to interior decoration. Preparation for the four-hour event began in late summer. For Knobloch, the scale of the operation has reached the proportions of a part-time job.
"I am deeply grateful to the many supporters and donors whose contributions of goods and funds make an event of this magnitude possible," Knobloch said. He noted that the Ludwigsburg AWW circle operates entirely on donations, which also sustain their regular monthly services.
About "Nachschlag" Soup Kitchen
The “Nachschlag” Soup Kitchen hosts a community lunch every fourth Sunday of the month,from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM, at the Adventist Church (Carl-Goerdeler-Str. 16, Ludwigsburg). Meals are offered for a nominal fee of one euro. The project specifically welcomes refugees, individuals in social distress, and anyone in need of community.
The project is managed by the AWW Ludwigsburg volunteer circle under the umbrella of the Advent-Wohlfahrtswerk e.V., the social welfare organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Germany.
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