In the Rotterdam neighborhood Bospolder-Tussendijken, the giveaway shop Yess has been an essential place for four years. Established during the COVID-19 pandemic in one of the poorest areas of the Netherlands, it began with food packages.
Neighborhood pastor Nico van Splunter soon realized that more was needed, leading to the opening of the shop where people could get groceries for free, also serving as a community meeting point. Van Splunter and volunteers, who often have personal experience with financial struggles, strive to provide extra support during the holidays, distributing 1,200 bags in schools and 600 Christmas packages for those in need.
Research by Regioplan in Amsterdam and Bureau Bartels in Rotterdam highlights the rise of informal food initiatives during the pandemic, as many avoid or cannot access government aid. Anna Custers, an expert on poverty interventions, notes that these initiatives persist due to rising grocery and heating costs, despite government subsidies.
The registration process for food banks has changed, sometimes discouraging people from seeking help due to privacy concerns and fears of interference, such as children’s welfare checks. Additionally, those without a citizen service number or undocumented individuals rely on these informal efforts, which continue alongside formal government initiatives.
Source: NOS