In a small village (In einem kleinen Dorf) near Dresden (in der Nähe von Dresden), a girl (ein Mädchen) was born (wurde geboren) in 1928. Annemarie had a happy childhood (Annemarie hatte eine glückliche Kindheit). Her parents (Ihre Eltern) had a shop (hatten einen Laden) in the middle of the village (mitten im Dorf), where the girl helped out (in dem das Mädchen mithalf) and enjoyed (und gerne) talking (redete) with other people (mit anderen Menschen).

In a small village near Dresden, a girl was born in 1928. Annemarie had a happy childhood. Her parents had a shop in the middle of the village, where the girl helped out and enjoyed talking with other people.

was born – wurde geboren

had – hatte, to have – haben

to help out – mithelfen, to help - helfen

Everyone in the shop called her Ami (Alle im Laden nannten sie Ami).

Ami grew up (Ami wuchs heran), the Second World War (der Zweite Weltkrieg) moved across the country (zog über das Land) and left deep scars (und hinterließ tiefe Spuren/ Narben). She experienced herself (Sie erlebte selbst) what it meant (was es bedeutete) to not have enough (nicht genug zu haben). She saw (Sie sah) the hardship (die Not) in people's eyes (in den Augen der Menschen), the empty shelves (die leeren Regale), and the worry (und die Sorge) on her neighbors' faces (auf den Gesichtern ihrer Nachbarn).

Everyone in the shop called her Ami.

Ami grew up, the Second World War moved across the country and left deep scars. She experienced herself what it meant to not have enough. She saw the hardship in people's eyes, the empty shelves, and the worry on her neighbors' faces.

grew up – wuchs heran

deep scars – wörtlich: tiefe Narben (tiefe Spuren)

left – hinterließ, to leave – hinterlassen

saw – sah, to see – sehen

This time (Diese Zeit) shaped her deeply (prägte sie tief) and planted a seed (und pflanzte einen Samen) in her heart (in ihr Herz) – the desire (den Wunsch) to always (immer) be there (da zu sein) for others (für andere), especially for those (besonders für die) who had the least (die am wenigsten hatten).

At 18 (mit 18), she fell in love (verliebte sie sich) with a young man (in einen jungen Mann) from the village (aus dem Dorf). However (Jedoch), he had (er hatte) no interest in her (kein Interesse an ihr). She (Sie) therefore (daher) decided (entschied sich) to leave (verlassen) the small village (das kleine Dorf) to forget (zu vergessen) her lovesickness (ihren Liebeskummer). With a small suitcase (Mit einem kleinen Koffer), she traveled north (fuhr sie nach Norden).

This time shaped her deeply and planted a seed in her heart – the desire to always be there for others, especially for those who had the least.

At 18, she fell in love with a young man from the village. However, he had no interest in her. She therefore decided to leave the small village to forget her lovesickness. With a small suitcase, she traveled north.

She therefore decided to leave the small village to forget her lovesickness – Sie entschied sich daher das kleine Dorf zu verlassen, um ihren Liebeskummer zu vergessen

First (Zuerst), she worked (sie arbeitete) for several years (einige Jahre) as a nurse (als Krankenpflegerin) in a hospital in Schleswig-Holstein (in einem Krankenhaus in Schleswig-Holstein). Then (Dann) she met (sie traf) her future husband (ihren zukünftigen Ehemann) and moved to Hamburg (und zog nach Hamburg). At that time (Damals), women in Germany (die Frauen in Deutschland) were predominantly housewives (waren überwiegend Hausfrauen). So (Also) Ami took care (Ami kümmerte sich) of the household and the children (um den Haushalt und die Kinder).

She raised two daughters (Sie zog zwei Töchter groß) and lived a happy family life (und lebte ein glückliches Familienleben). The daughters grew up (Die Töchter wurden erwachsen) and left home (und verließen das Haus).

First, she worked for several years as a nurse in a hospital in Schleswig-Holstein. Then she met her future husband and moved to Hamburg. At that time, women in Germany were predominantly housewives. So Ami took care of the household and the children.

She raised two daughters and lived a happy family life. The daughters grew up and left home.

At that time – zu dieser Zeit /damals

to take care – sich (um jemandem) kümmern

raised – zog groß; to raise – großziehen

grew up – wurden erwachsen; to grow up – erwachsen werden

After almost (Nach fast) forty years of marriage (vierzig Jahren Ehe), her husband (ihr Mann) passed away (verstarb). Ami was 65 years old (Ami war 65 Jahre alt), lonely, and sad (einsam und traurig). Suddenly (Plötzlich /auf einmal), she no longer (sie gar nicht mehr) knew what (wusste was) to do (machen) with her life (mit ihrem Leben).

One day (Eines Tages), she saw (sie sah) a report on television (einen Fernsehbericht). It was about (Er handelte von) a new idea from Berlin (einer neuen Idee aus Berlin): the Food Bank (die "Tafel").

After almost forty years of marriage, her husband passed away. Ami was 65 years old, lonely, and sad. Suddenly, she no longer knew what to do with her life.

One day, she saw a report on television. It was about a new idea from Berlin: the "Tafel" (the Food Bank).

passed away – verstarb

she no longer knew what to do with her life - wusste sie gar nicht mehr, was sie mit ihrem Leben anfangen soll

The idea was as simple (Die Idee war so einfach) as it was brilliant (wie genial): supermarkets, bakeries, and fruit sellers (Supermärkte, Bäckereien und Obsthändler) threw away (warfen weg) tons of food (Unmengen an Lebensmitteln) every day (jeden Tag), just because (nur weil) it no longer looked perfect (sie nicht mehr perfekt aussahen) or the best-before date (oder das Mindesthaltbarkeitsdatum) was approaching (bald erreicht war).

The idea was as simple as it was brilliant: supermarkets, bakeries, and fruit sellers threw away tons of food every day, just because it no longer looked perfect or the best-before date was approaching.

threw away – warfen weg, to throw away – wegwerfen

the best-before date – das Mindeshaltbarkeitsdatum

to approach – sich nähern /bald erreichen

A crooked cucumber (Eine krumme Gurke), a yogurt that expired tomorrow (ein Joghurt, der morgen ablief), bread from the day before (ein Brot vom Vortag). All still wonderfully edible (Alles noch wunderbar essbar), but no longer good enough (aber nicht mehr gut genug) for sale (für den Verkauf). The Tafel collected this food (Die Tafel sammelte diese Lebensmittel ein) and distributed it to people (und verteilte sie an Menschen) who urgently needed it (die sie dringend brauchten).

Back then (damals), in the early 90s (Anfang der 90er Jahre), just after (ganz kurz nach) the reunification of East and West Germany (der Wiedervereinigung von Ost- und Westdeutschland), there was a lot of poverty (gab es viel Armut).

A crooked cucumber, a yogurt that expired tomorrow, bread from the day before. All still wonderfully edible, but no longer good enough for sale. The Tafel collected this food and distributed it to people who urgently needed it.

Back then, in the early 90s, just after the reunification of East and West Germany, there was a lot of poverty.

day before – Vortag

food – das Essen / hier: Lebensmittel

to collect – sammeln; einsammeln

a lot of – viel

People in the East (Die Menschen im Osten) were often unemployed (waren oft arbeitslos) and did not have much money (und hatten nicht viel Geld). That is why (Deswegen) several million of them (einige Millionen von ihnen) fled to the West (flohen nach Westen) to build a better life there (um sich dort ein besseres Leben aufzubauen). In the West (Im Westen), however (jedoch), there was a lack (gab es einen Mangel) of housing (an Wohnraum), so many became homeless as well (so dass viele auch obdachlos wurden).

Even in the otherwise (Auch im sonst) wealthy city of Hamburg (wohlhabenden Stadt Hamburg), there were suddenly (gab es auf einmal) about seven thousand homeless people (etwa siebentausend Obdachlose).

People in the East were often unemployed and did not have much money. That is why several million of them fled to the West to build a better life there. In the West, however, there was a lack of housing, so many became homeless as well.

Even in the otherwise wealthy city of Hamburg, there were suddenly about seven thousand homeless people.

fled – flohen, to fly – fliehen

to build a better life – um (sich) ein besseres Leben aufzubauen

This touched Ami very deeply (Das berührte Ami sehr stark) and she decided to help (und sie entschied sich zu helfen). Because she too (Denn auch sie) had come (ist gekommen) from the East to the West (aus dem Osten nach Westen) back then (damals) with only a suitcase in her hand (nur mit einem Koffer in der Hand) and still remembered well (und erinnerte sich noch gut) what it is like (wie es ist) when you have to start from zero (wenn man mit nichts anfangen muss).

So she got started (Also legte sie los). With the energy of a young girl (Mit der Energie eines jungen Mädchens) and the experience of an older woman (und der Erfahrung einer älteren Frau), she went to work (machte sie sich an die Arbeit). She began (Sie begann) to make phone calls (herumzutelefonieren) tirelessly (unermüdlich).

This touched Ami very deeply and she decided to help. Because she too had come from the East to the West back then with only a suitcase in her hand and still remembered well what it is like when you have to start from zero.

So she got started. With the energy of a young girl and the experience of an older woman, she went to work. She began to make phone calls tirelessly.

Because she too had come from the East to the West back then with only a suitcase in her hand... - Denn auch sie ist damals nur mit einem Koffer in der Hand aus dem Osten nach Westen gekommen…

She began to make phone calls tirelessly. - Sie begann unermüdlich herumzutelefonieren.

She called supermarkets (Sie rief bei Supermärkten an). "Good day (Guten Tag), my name is Annemarie Dose (mein Name ist Annemarie Dose). You surely throw away food every day (Sie werfen doch sicher jeden Tag Lebensmittel weg), don't you? (oder?) I would like to pick it up (Ich würde sie gerne abholen) and distribute it to poor people (und an arme Menschen verteilen)." Some just hung up (Manche legten einfach auf), others laughed at her (andere lachten sie aus). "What does the old lady want? (Was will die alte Dame denn?)" they thought (dachten sie).

She called supermarkets. "Good day, my name is Annemarie Dose. You surely throw away food every day, don't you? I would like to pick it up and distribute it to poor people." Some just hung up, others laughed at her. "What does the old lady want?" they thought.

throw away – wegwerfen

I would like to – Ich würde gerne

to pick up – abholen

to distribute - verteilen

But Ami did not give up (Aber Ami gab nicht auf). She called again and again (Sie rief wieder und wieder an). She explained her idea (Sie erklärte ihre Idee) with so much passion and heart  (mit so viel Leidenschaft und Herzblut) that the people on the other end of the line (dass die Menschen am anderen Ende der Leitung) fell silent and listened (still wurden und zuhörten).

Finally, the first supermarket manager said (Schließlich sagte der erste Supermarktleiter): "Alright (Na gut), come on by (kommen Sie vorbei). But only what is really left over (Aber nur, was wirklich übrig ist)."

But Ami did not give up. She called again and again. She explained her idea with so much passion and heart that the people on the other end of the line fell silent and listened.

Finally, the first supermarket manager said: "Alright, come on by. But only what is really left over."

to give – geben

to give up – aufgeben

left over – übrig geblieben

That was the beginning! (Das war der Anfang!) But now she faced (Aber nun stand sie vor) the next problem (dem nächsten Problem): How was she supposed (Wie sollte sie) to transport the food? (die Lebensmittel transportieren?) She only had her small car (Sie hatte nur ihr kleines Auto). And where should she bring it? (Und wohin sollte sie sie bringen?)

Then Ami contacted other people (Dann kontaktierte Ami andere Menschen) who wanted to help (die helfen wollten) and founded the Hamburger Tafel (und gründete die Hamburger Tafel).

That was the beginning! But now she faced the next problem: How was she supposed to transport the food? She only had her small car. And where should she bring it?

Then Ami contacted other people who wanted to help and founded the Hamburger Tafel.

the beginning – der Anfang

should – soll

founded - gründete

The first day was unforgettable (Der erste Tag war unvergesslich). Crates full of yogurt, bread, fruits (Kisten voller Joghurt, Brot, Obst), and vegetables were piling up (und Gemüse stapelten sich). And then the people came (Und dann kamen die Menschen). Hesitantly at first, almost shy (Zuerst zögerlich, fast schüchtern).

An old lady with a thin coat (Eine alte Dame mit einem dünnen Mantel), a young man (ein junger Mann) who had lost his job (der seine Arbeit verloren hatte), a mother with her two children in hand (eine Mutter mit ihren zwei Kindern an der Hand). Their eyes grew wide (Ihre Augen wurden groß) when they saw all the food (als sie das viele Essen sahen). "Is this really all for us? (Ist das wirklich alles für uns?)" the mother whispered (flüsterte die Mutter).

The first day was unforgettable. Crates full of yogurt, bread, fruits, and vegetables were piling up. And then the people came. Hesitantly at first, almost shy.

An old lady with a thin coat, a young man who had lost his job, a mother with her two children in hand. Their eyes grew wide when they saw all the food. "Is this really all for us?" the mother whispered.

were piling up – stapelten sich

came – kamen, to come – kommen

grew – wuchsen (hier: wurden), to grow – wachsen (hier: werden)

Annemarie nodded with a warm smile (Annemarie nickte mit einem warmen Lächeln). "Yes. Take what you need (Ja. Nehmen Sie sich, was Sie brauchen)." On that day (An diesem Tag), they did not just distribute food (verteilten sie nicht nur Lebensmittel). They distributed dignity (Sie verteilten Würde), hope, and the feeling (Hoffnung und das Gefühl) of not being forgotten (nicht vergessen zu sein).

From then on, the Hamburger Tafel grew every day (Von da an wuchs die Hamburger Tafel jeden Tag). Annemarie became the "Mother of the Tafel (Annemarie wurde zur "Mutter der Tafel)."

Annemarie nodded with a warm smile. "Yes. Take what you need." On that day, they did not just distribute food. They distributed dignity, hope, and the feeling of not being forgotten.

From then on, the Hamburger Tafel grew every day. Annemarie became the "Mother of the Tafel."

warm smile – warmes Lächeln

to need – brauchen

to forget – vergessen

the Food Bank – die Tafel

She was everywhere (Sie war überall). You could see her (Man konnte sie sehen /Man sah sie) at five in the morning (um fünf Uhr morgens), greeting truck drivers (wie sie LKW-Fahrer begrüßte) who brought donations (die Spenden brachten). You could see her (Man sah sie) in the afternoon (am Nachmittag), lovingly (wie sie liebevoll) filling a bag for an old woman (einer alten Frau eine Tüte füllte) and giving her a kind word for the road (und ihr ein freundliches Wort mit auf den Weg gab). You could see her (Man sah sie) in the evening (abends) in her small office (in ihrem kleinen Büro), tirelessly on the phone (wie sie unermüdlich telefonierte), trying to find new donors (um neue Spender zu finden).

She was everywhere. You could see her at five in the morning, greeting truck drivers who brought donations. You could see her in the afternoon, lovingly filling a bag for an old woman and giving her a kind word for the road. You could see her in the evening in her small office, tirelessly on the phone, trying to find new donors.

everywhere – überall

morning – Morgen /morgens

afternoon – Nachmittag /nachmittags

evening – Abend /abends

Although she was already at retirement age (Obwohl sie selbst schon im Rentenalter war), she suddenly worked (arbeitete sie plötzlich) seven days a week (sieben Tage pro Woche), from early in the morning until late at night (von morgens früh bis spät am Abend).

Her family remembers (Ihre Familie erinnert sich) this time (an diese Zeit) as the time (als die Zeit) when Ami blossomed (wo Ami aufblühte) for the first time (zum ersten Mal) after her husband's death (nach dem Tod ihres Mannes), because her life had meaning again (weil ihr Leben wieder einen Sinn ergab).

Although she was already at retirement age, she suddenly worked seven days a week, from early in the morning until late at night.

Her family remembers this time as the time when Ami blossomed for the first time after her husband's death, because her life had meaning again.

already – schon

night – die Nacht

had meaning – einen Sinn ergab

Ami was much loved (Ami war sehr beliebt) by the volunteers (von den Freiwilligen) of the „Tafel“ (der Tafel), as she worked a lot (da sie viel arbeitete) and took care of all people (und sich um alle Menschen kümmerte). She often said things like (Sie sagte oft Dinge wie), “even if it's new to me (auch wenn es für mich neu ist), I'll just give it a try (versuche ich es eben Mal), despite my old age (trotz meines hohen Alters),” or “If you really want something (oder „Wenn du etwas wirklich möchtest) – you can do it (dann schaffst du es auch).”

Ami was much loved by the volunteers of the „Tafel“, as she worked a lot and took care of all people. She often said things like, “even if it's new to me, I'll just give it a try, despite my old age,” or “If you really want something – you can do it.”

things – Dinge

give it a try – es versuchen

despite – trotz

can – können oder schaffen

For over 20 years (Über 20 Jahren), Annemarie worked for the Tafel (arbeitete Annemarie für die Tafel) and received many prizes and awards (und bekam viele Preise und Auszeichnungen), even the Federal Cross of Merit (sogar das Bundesverdienstkreuz). But the most important thing (Aber das Wichtigste) for her were not the medals (für sie waren nicht die Medaillen). The most important thing (Das Wichtigste) was the shining eyes of a child (waren die leuchtenden Augen eines Kindes) who was happy about an apple (das sich über einen Apfel freute). The grateful smile of a mother (Das dankbare Lächeln einer Mutter) who knew (die wusste) that her family would have enough to eat that day (dass ihre Familie an diesem Tag satt werden würde).

For over 20 years, Annemarie worked for the Tafel and received many prizes and awards, even the Federal Cross of Merit. But the most important thing for her were not the medals. The most important thing was the shining eyes of a child who was happy about an apple. The grateful smile of a mother who knew that her family would have enough to eat that day.

The Federal Cross of Merit – das Bundesverdienstkreuz

would have – würde

have enough to eat – genug zu essen haben /satt werden

Even though Annemarie Dose (Auch wenn Annemarie Dose) died at the age of 87 (im Alter von 87 Jahren starb), her life's work continues (so arbeitet ihr Lebenswerk weiter). Ami has shown us (Ami hat uns gezeigt) that a single person with a simple idea (dass ein einziger Mensch mit einer einfachen Idee) can change an entire city (eine ganze Stadt verändern kann).

Today (Heute), the Hamburger Tafel is a huge organization (ist die Hamburger Tafel eine riesige Organisation) with many delivery vans (mit vielen Lieferwagen) and hundreds of volunteers (und hunderten von freiwilligen Helfern). It provides for thousands of people every week (Sie versorgt jede Woche Tausende von Menschen). All of this began with one woman and a heart (All das begann mit einer Frau und einem Herzen) that was as big as the port of Hamburg (das so groß war wie der Hamburger Hafen).

Even though Annemarie Dose died at the age of 87, her life's work continues. Ami has shown us that a single person with a simple idea can change an entire city.

Today, the Hamburger Tafel is a huge organization with many delivery vans and hundreds of volunteers. It provides for thousands of people every week. All of this began with one woman and a heart that was as big as the port of Hamburg.

life’s work – das Lebenswerk

city – die Stadt

delivery van – der Lieferwagen