File of distress: 60 years of helping those in need in the Günzburg district!

File of distress: 60 years of helping those in need in the Günzburg district!

On December 25, 2025, the Kartei der Not Foundation was able to look back on an impressive 60 years of existence. This anniversary was celebrated with a festive celebration, at which Prime Minister Markus Söder also conveyed his warm congratulations. The emergency card index has played an important role in the Bavarian Swabia region by supporting people who are in need through no fault of their own and helping them quickly and unbureaucratically. This year alone, over 1,000 people seeking help in the Günzburg district were able to take advantage of the foundation's support, accompanied by an impressive sum of 611,000 euros that was invested there.

The Card Index of Need was launched in 1965 by the committed Ellinor Holland after an appeal from the Augsburger Allgemeine to readers sparked an overwhelming willingness to donate. She aptly describes the philosophy of the foundation: “The need on our doorstep concerns us all!” This message runs through the entire work of the Card of Distress and shows how important it is not to leave people alone in difficult life situations.

Direct help for those in need

The vast majority of donations – a total of 261,000 euros this year – come from the Günzburg area. All donated funds will be used entirely for relief efforts, as the administrative costs will be borne by the Pressedruck media group. This ensures that every euro goes directly to those seeking help. 338 children and 26 people with disabilities were particularly happy and received targeted support.

• Die größten Einzelposten: 350.000 Euro wurden für das Haus der Caritas bereitgestellt.
• 109.000 Euro flossen in das Dominikus-Ringeisen-Werk.
• Notfallhilfen wurden an Schulen und Kindertagesstätten bereitgestellt.
• Zusätzlich wurde Unterstützung für Senioren angeboten.

Last year, numerous fundraising campaigns were also launched, including the popular Lions Advent calendar, the stollen baker Jürg Hurler and the talented musicians from Blech and Co. A tree planting challenge was also carried out, which was able to mobilize even more supporters.

Looking into the future

The foundation never tires of this. Exciting projects are already being planned for the coming year 2026. A new building is to be built on Otto-Lindenmeyer-Straße in Augsburg, which will offer 35 barrier-free apartments. The aim is to ensure protection, orientation, dignity and perspective for people in social or health emergencies.

Since its founding, the Kartei der Not Foundation has provided more than 51 million euros for those in need and is contacted by around 3,000 people every year through social agencies. To ensure that help can continue to be provided effectively in the future, aid organizations that are interested in the standards of the DZI donation seal can undergo an audit in order to gain the trust of donors and thus promote their willingness to help.

For the many people who rely on the help of the emergency card index, every support means that there is hope. And that is exactly what the foundation is all about – a strong network of help that works with heart and conviction. Every donation helps share the light in the darkness and provide support where it is needed most.

Further information about the Kartei der Not Foundation can be found on the [Augsburger Allgemeine] website (https://www.augsburger- Allgemeine.de/guenzburg/kartei-der-not-foerdert-schulen-senioren-und-beduerhaftee-im-landkreis-guenzburg-113000575). For a deeper insight into the organization itself, visit Wikipedia and for useful tips on donation advice, take a look at the DZI website.