A long queue has formed as the smell of currywurst wafts through the air at the food counter. “Would you like some potato wedges with that?” asks Deniz Undav. “We also have some teas to choose from: camomile, peppermint or black tea,” adds Angelo Stiller, standing next to his team-mate. The guests smile and have a little chat with the two players. Next to them, club President Dietmar Allgaier, CEO Alexander Wehrle and Joachim Löw, among others, also pitch in.
Around 800 people in need are being provided for. And VfB is in the thick of things, helping out and putting smiles on faces. The Vesperkirche, an institution in Stuttgart, has been providing an important service for people in need for three decades, offering a hot lunch every day for seven weeks, as well as additional help such as medical attention, foot care and haircuts.
“We want to fulfil our social responsibility”
For Wehrle, participating comes as second nature: “As the largest sports club in Baden-Württemberg, we want to fulfil our social responsibility, especially in our city. VfB has been involved for several years and I’m proud that we are also contributing this year with our first-team players and employees.”
VfB family donates 50,000 euros
Indeed, it is a commitment that the entire VfB family is part of. On their behalf, Allgaier handed over a donation cheque for 50,000 euros to the Vesperkirche. ‘”It’s a matter of honour for us to not only lend a hand in the Vesperkirche, but to also support this important work financially,” he said.