Ratingen, Germany – A remarkable career of dedication and service has been recognized with one of Germany’s highest honors. Ingrid Bauer, a long-time resident of Ratingen, has been awarded the Cross of Merit of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of germany for her extensive voluntary work, particularly her profound impact on the social fabric of the community.
the prestigious award was presented by District Administrator Bettina Warnecke and Mayor Patrick Anders at a ceremony held in the inviting atmosphere of the media center’s reading café. Surrounded by family, friends, and fellow volunteers, Bauer was celebrated for her unwavering commitment. District Administrator Warnecke, in her address, lauded bauer’s “immense commitment,” highlighting her journey and the significant contributions she has made over the years.
Born 80 years ago in the picturesque Black Forest region, Bauer’s life path eventually led her to Ratingen. Shortly after her arrival, she stepped into a leadership role, taking the helm of the badminton department at ASC west.this voluntary position was a testament to her passion for the sport, as she dedicated 40 years to it, also serving as a trainer until 2007. Her commitment to ASC West mirrors the dedication seen in long-serving coaches who build programs from the ground up, fostering talent and community spirit.
However, 2007 marked a pivotal year, ushering in what District Administrator Warnecke described as Bauer’s “outstanding performance.” This was the year her vision for “Tafel Ratingen” began to take shape, a project that would become a cornerstone of the community. As Warnecke elaborated, “Your outstanding achievement is that you have made Tafel Ratingen into a pillar of the community since 2008.”
The genesis of Tafel Ratingen stemmed from a recognized need within the city’s social network. In 2007, local organizations, the SkF and the Diakonie, identified a gap: a place where individuals in need could access food at minimal cost. This initiative also served a crucial environmental purpose,preventing perfectly good food,still edible but no longer commercially viable,from ending up as waste – a concept familiar to many who advocate for food sustainability and waste reduction.
The journey from concept to reality for Tafel Ratingen was complex, requiring the establishment of robust structures. Ingrid bauer was at the forefront from the very beginning, described by Warnecke as the “driving force behind the board.” In 2008, the Tafel-Verein was officially founded to support the project, with Bauer assuming the role of chairwoman, a position she continues to hold today. Her dedication is staggering; it’s estimated she has devoted approximately 22,000 hours to this passion project, a commitment that speaks volumes about her selflessness.
bauer’s responsibilities are vast and varied. She orchestrates the procurement of food, material, and monetary donations, coordinates pick-ups from markets, meticulously plans routes for deliveries, manages a team of volunteers, and represents Tafel Ratingen at numerous public events. her hands-on approach is legendary; she’s known to pitch in wherever needed, even assisting with warehouse tasks or sweeping the yard. “You lend a hand where you are needed,” Warnecke noted. “You do all of this with a calmness that inspires others.” This ability to inspire and lead by example is a hallmark of effective community organizers.
Tafel Ratingen experienced immediate success and has seen continuous growth. The relocation in 2020 to a new, purpose-built facility at Am Stadion, supported by the city and a local housing association, was a significant milestone, addressing the limitations of the initial distribution point on Grütstrasse. Today, the impact of Tafel Ratingen is substantial: approximately 550 customers visit weekly, benefiting around 1,200 individuals.Three dedicated vehicles transport roughly 60 tons of food each month, with fruits and vegetables making up a significant 72 percent of the donations. The operation relies on the dedication of around 180 volunteers, working in both delivery services and administrative roles. These figures underscore the immense scale of the project and the extraordinary extent of Ingrid Bauer’s achievements.
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