24.11.2025 / English
Lilies players support the distribution of food to the homeless and needy.
At 1pm on Sunday (November 23rd), the food distribution began at Europaplatz in Darmstadt: Yōsuke Furukawa, Leon Klassen, Bartosz Bialek, and Merveille Papela handed out warm meals to the homeless and needy with a smile. The players from Darmstadt 98 pitched in and ensured that no one went hungry. In doing so, they supported the initiative „Helping the Homeless in Darmstadt,“ which has been providing food and other assistance to people in need every Sunday at the west exit of the main train station for over ten years.
On Sunday, a small but exceptionally delicious menu awaited: goulash and potato soup for homeless people. However, the distribution was different this time. Instead of being on the training pitch, the Darmstadt professionals Bialek, Papela, Furukawa, and Klassen appeared at Europaplatz at 1pm and handed out the hot meals together. With plenty of time for personal conversations and a listening ear, the players wanted not only to help but also to send a clear message: Every person deserves warmth, respect, and genuine attention. Club president Markus Pfitzner also made a point of stopping by and supporting the initiative. In closing, he emphasised how important this issue is for SV Darmstadt 98: „When you see how many people are standing on the streets here, how they are cold and hungry, then you know this is the right cause we are supporting. That’s why we are committed to this long-term, because there is more poverty in our city than people are willing to admit!“
"Helping the homeless in Darmstadt"
The private initiative aims to „help people in need regardless of their background, gender, or nationality.“ Every Sunday at noon, „Helping the Homeless Darmstadt“ gathers at Europaplatz in Darmstadt to distribute hot meals, drinks, food, clothing, hygiene products, and pet food to the homeless and those in need.