© Diakonie Altholstein
KIELER ANKER: Warm place in the rough Kiel wind
A Place of Calm Amid the Rough Seas
The Kieler Anker (Kiel Anchor) is far more than a gathering place and provider of hot meals for those in need. Through their sustainable community kitchen, their engaging social city tours, and dedicated volunteer programs, they offer essential support to all people in Kiel who are struggling with hardship. Here, community comes to life, prejudices are challenged, and the promise of a better future emerges even in challenging times.
The air is cool and damp as Lukas Lehmann enters the Kieler Anker, yet inside, a welcoming warmth defies the chill. The aroma of fresh, simmering stew mingles with lively conversations and the rhythmic clatter of plates, creating an environment that offers not just a meal, but a true sense of belonging. Lukas nods and smiles at the familiar faces of daily visitors, reinforcing the personal and nurturing nature of the centre.
More than a mere food bank, the Kieler Anker centres provide a place of refuge, of inclusive community and support. Each day, the kitchens serve up to 150 hot meals—numbers that swell during the biting cold—ensuring that those in need, whether experiencing homelessness, financial hardship, or battling addiction, receive affordable nourishment. Lukas, the Kieler Anker’s manager, expresses his concern, noting that “compared to previous years, the number of guests has doubled, a troubling rise in extreme poverty.”
”If you can, contribute 5 euros—and pay it forward so another guest can enjoy a free meal.“
Lukas Lehmann
Community Lunches: More Than Just a Meal
At the Kieler Anker, every day brings a new culinary surprise. One day, the kitchen might produce a comforting pasta bake--the next, a hearty chicken stew with jacket potatoes. The evolving menu is largely shaped by the various food donations they receive. Contributions from local food banks, canteens operated by e.g. the Stadtwerke Kiel, and private donors all play a part, while much-needed financial support helps them transform these ingredients into balanced and tasty meals.
Take the ”Mittagstisch Gaarden“, for example—Kiel's oldest lunch club, proudly serving around 10,000 meals each year for over 30 years. Here, it’s about more than just easing hunger; it’s about fostering community. For pensioners on limited incomes and those facing homelessness or addiction, sharing a meal becomes an opportunity for companionship, socialisation, and a touch of normality. Even those on better incomes are welcome. As Lukas puts it, ”If you can, contribute 5 euros—and pay it forward so another guest can enjoy a free meal.“
© Diakonie Altholstein
”Approximately 5,000 people in Kiel live in precarious conditions—not all visible on the streets, yet struggling daily. This challenge cannot be solved by the state alone in the short term. That’s why we rely on financial and in-kind support from businesses, private donors, and anyone willing to help.“
Lukas Lehmann
Lukas Lehmann
... social innovator with international experience, humanitarian commitment, and a focus on sustainable change.
Social Street Tours: Moving Stories from the Unseen Parts of Kiel
Discover the city of Kiel from an entirely new perspective with our “Kieler Ankerplätze” tours. Guided by trained locals who have lived through the challenges of homelessness and addiction, these tours reveal the hidden narratives, secret corners, and uncharted meeting spots that are never captured in standard travel guides.
"Viewing our town through the eyes of someone who once stood on its fringes—and hearing firsthand the realities of daily street life—offers a uniquely transformative perspective on our community," Lukas says. These tours not only spotlight important social issues and reveal many unseen faces of poverty, they also break down prejudices and create spaces for genuine face-to-face dialogue between different people. Here, participants learn about community organisations and are encouraged to ask questions and exchange perspectives, forging connections that transcend the ordinary.
Step off the beaten path and experience Kiel's living tapestry of stories and people, where every step leads to a deeper understanding of community and resilience.
© Diakonie Altholstein
Volunteering: Making a Difference Together
At Kieler Anker, our strength lies in the commitment of volunteers who enrich our community every day. Whether they're preparing meals in the kitchen, serving food to those in need, or guiding our city tours, every contribution matters. "The retired pharmacist is as devoted to our cause as an individual who has experienced hardship firsthand," Lukas proudly notes.
Each of our volunteers brings their own wealth of experience, skills, and personal stories that enhance our mission. They flourish in an environment where everyone is empowered to contribute their strengths and have them recognized. Volunteers and clients exchange insights, share perspectives and grow together, weaving a powerful network.
For many, volunteering at Kieler Anker is more than just giving back—it’s a vital stepping stone back into the workforce, opening doors for many who often struggle to find their place in the traditional job market. Several of our helpers transitioned to paid roles, where they serve as both inspiring role models and dedicated community allies.
A Network That Transforms Lives
Beyond offering meals, Kieler Anker provides a broad range of social services centred around our pioneering centres. These spaces were the first in Germany to allow guests to bring alcohol, but are more than just an alternative to the local pub —they are vibrant centres where guests can catch up on the news, access computers, or simply converse and connect, all whilst having easy access to support and advice.
"Approximately 5,000 people in Kiel live in precarious conditions—not all visible on the streets, yet struggling daily," says Lukas. "This challenge cannot be solved by the state alone in the short term. That’s why we rely on financial and in-kind support from businesses, private donors, and anyone willing to help."
Every donation enables Kieler Anker to remain flexible and responsive, whether through hot meals, one-on-one counselling, or innovative social projects. Join us in creating meaningful support and opening up new opportunities for our community.
Lukas Lehmann is a social innovator with international experience and humanitarian commitment for sustainable change. He began as a reserve officer, studied cultural theory and development in England and Scotland, and worked in northern Africa. Leading innovative youth and award-winning community projects in the UK honed his leadership skills. Returning to Kiel in 2017, he first led HEMPELS e.V. and since 2021 the Kieler Anker gGmbH.
lukas.lehmann (at) kieler-anker.de
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