Support Open Kitchen: Creating Community and Belonging Through Food

Open Kitchen, based in Neukölln, breaks down social barriers, combats isolation, and creates long-term connections and friendships among newcomers, refugees, migrants, and locals. Each week, we meet and cook together. No frills, just real connections over a meal where everybody is welcome.
 
Spaces where people with different interests, backgrounds, and experiences can meet and work together are shrinking. Newcomers to Germany are increasingly vilified again. Racism and xenophobia are more and more prevalent. To counter this, we provide a safe and welcoming environment that takes people out of isolation, offering an opportunity to connect with new friends and take the first steps towards making Berlin their home. For those established in Berlin, Open Kitchen is a chance to interact with people from different backgrounds and exchange stories and ideas.

Over the past decade, Open Kitchen has cooked up countless meals, provided safe spaces for people to share their stories, and created an environment where cultural diversity is celebrated. Open Kitchen is more than just a weekly gathering; it's a  way to create a resilient community against discrimination, racism, and xenophobia, a way to build a home through shared experiences.

The long-term effects of participating in Open Kitchen are profound. Participants build their strength and agency, thriving as they become accepted and integrated into the community, ultimately becoming full members of society.

Your support is a vital ingredient in Open Kitchen! 

Earlier this year, Neukölln announced dramatic spending cuts for those social projects that target the most vulnerable members of society, effectively closing down several initiatives and increasing the strain on those that remain.

We rely on the support of donors to keep Open Kitchen going.

Open Kitchen is free for everyone - financial constraints should not limit access to a supportive community and healthy meals. Your donations directly fund our efforts, covering staff costs, food, utensils, and logistical needs. Even small contributions can make a huge impact. 10 Euros cover all associated costs for one participant in one week.

A difficult political climate, dramatic spending cuts in the social sector, and increased xenophobia - the time to donate and support grassroots projects is now!

Donate to Open Kitchen so that we can continue to build spaces of belonging and support for all people in Berlin!

Please help us keep the kitchen open and the community thriving.


Open Kitchen is part of Give Something Back to Berlin, an award-winning organisation that empowers new and established Berliners through volunteering, education, and a network of support. Learn more about Give Something Back to Berlin here: gsbtb.org