[majewsky]

If welfare provides for a modest life, why are the Tafeln [1] overrun to the point of denying membership applications because of shortages?

[1] Die Tafeln are a group of privately-run food banks in Germany: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tafel_(Organisation) (no English Wikipedia article unfortunately)

[luckylion]

Because free/cheap food allows you to spend the cash part of benefits on other things.