For eleven years now, Christmas time in Frankfurt has also meant Christmas goose dinners for people in need: Bernd Reisig and his foundation "helfen helfen" once again invited all of Frankfurt's homeless to the Ratskeller in the Römer for a classic Christmas dinner this year. Around 700 people enjoyed goose leg with red cabbage and dumplings on St. Nicholas Day. As is tradition, the waiters and waitresses were more than 50 celebrities. Among them: Actor Christian Kahrmann, the boss of Löwen Frankfurt, Stefan Krämer, the Hessian Minister of Justice Prof. Roman Poseck and DFB President Bernd Neuendorf. The patron of the evening was Lord Mayor Mike Josef.
There was plenty to do in the kitchen of the Ratskeller again this year: Lohrberg-Schänken host Christian Dressler and his team prepared almost 750 goose legs, around 1600 dumplings and around 200 kilograms of red cabbage. The food was donated by Rewe-Markt Bernd Kaffenberger from Bad Vilbel. "I am delighted that so many people in need have once again found their way to the Ratskeller. Unfortunately, the response to our invitation also makes it clear that the Christmas dinner is still needed," said initiator Bernd Reisig. The people in need of help were also supported with their travel; the Frankfurt am Main transport company once again made it possible for all homeless people to travel free of charge by public transport within Frankfurt.
Mayor Josef, who also served the meal, thanked him in his speech: "Homeless people are citizens of our city, they are fellow human beings who we must not exclude or stigmatize. I therefore greatly appreciate the commitment of the Bernd Reisig Foundation, which has long been keeping an eye on the needs and hardships of the homeless and people in difficult circumstances and helping them all year round."
Christmas presents, including those distributed by Mainova and Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund at the end, are also an integral part of the event.
