HSG students collect for St.Gallen soup kitchen

The St. Gallen soup kitchen is under financial pressure: as local media in St. Gallen reported in November, the soup kitchen serves around 80 heavily discounted meals a day during the winter – up from 40 before the coronavirus pandemic. The social institution, which provides meals for people with addictions and behavioural problems or those affected by poverty, is largely financed by donations. But donations are not keeping pace with the increase in visitor numbers.

‘We became aware of these reports and thought this was an important topic to make a local difference,’ says Lara Reinert. She is part of a group of five HSG students who, on 17 December 2024, organised an information evening at the Kulturmuseum St. Gallen about the situation of people who frequent the soup kitchen. The event, which the students are organising as part of the ‘Sustainable Start-Ups’ course, will also include a fundraising event for the soup kitchen.

The aim of the course is to design and implement initiatives that have a positive social or ecological impact locally. The students have launched their initiative under the title ‘Closeness creates understanding – Together for a united St.Gallen’.

A visit to the night shelter

‘We looked at the situation of people without a permanent place of residence and with addiction and behavioural problems as part of our course. When we read the reports about the soup kitchen, we began to take a closer look at the topic,’ says HSG student Gabriel Hofmann. The students, who also include Kevin Brüngger, Colin Birrer and Noemi Buzzi, conducted interviews with experts – including Philip Fehr, head of social assistance at the social services of the city of St. Gallen, and Regine Rust, head of the addiction support foundation.

‘We also visited the Grünhalde night shelter and spoke to staff there, as well as to two people who regularly use the night shelter,’ says Hofmann. The aim of the discussions was to gain a better understanding of the needs and challenges of all stakeholders.

In principle, the city of St.Gallen offers a wide range of services for people with addictions and those who largely live on the streets. ‘At the same time, public awareness of these services is rather low,’ says Hofmann. This is how the idea of an information event to raise public awareness came about. “We also want to raise awareness of the reality of life for people without a permanent place to live and make the valuable work of the institutions more visible,” says Reinert.

A homeless person tells his story

On 17 December from 6 p.m., Bettina Sturzenegger from the social services of St. Gallen, Regine Rust from the Addiction Help Foundation, and Sonja Lüthi, a member of the St. Gallen city council and head of the Department of Social Affairs and Security, will give short presentations on the work of the authorities. ‘In addition, a man who used to live on the streets himself will tell his story and offer insights,’ Hofmann continues.

As students, they also want to provide different perspectives on people without a permanent place of residence and thus foster understanding among the population. There will also be an opportunity to donate to the soup kitchen before and during the event. The event is open to the public. ‘We hope to see the broadest possible participation from HSG members and the people of St. Gallen,’ says Hofmann.