Overview
- The indebted City of Lübeck plans to scrap about €120,000 in yearly support for Café Salut as part of budget consolidation, with the decision reported as planned but not resolved.
- Former Schleswig-Holstein minister-president Björn Engholm served as a currywurst seller, moving roughly 200 donated portions for a minimum €2 contribution.
- The Salvation Army said all proceeds from the one-day action are earmarked for the café, which faces potential closure if funding is withdrawn.
- Café Salut, opened in 2008, provides low-cost breakfasts and lunches to homeless and low-income residents and has grown into a community meeting place, according to local Salvation Army leader Rosemarie Scharf.
- Engholm urged local politicians to seek the missing funds through public donations rather than canceling the subsidy, citing estimates that 10–15% of residents are in social distress and that fewer than ten facilities offer needed help.