Amsterdammers donate their energy discount en masse: ‘This exceeds our expectations’

Early November Amsterdam friends Monique van Hoogstraten and Ineke van Tol launched the online platform Wees Warmhart. A citizens’ initiative where you can donate your energy discount of 190 euros to an Amsterdam charity. Participating institutions are the Amsterdam Food Bank, the Amsterdam Special Needs Fund and the Poverty Fund.

Every euro is welcome

According to Ineke, the majority of the donations are 190 euros, the amount of the discount in November and again in December. “But we also see amounts of 95 or 380 euros. Sometimes smaller amounts and that is also nice, because every euro is welcome.”

Marita Tolman, director of the Amsterdam Fund for Special Needs, is also happy with any amount. “44,000 euros have already been donated to us alone. Very nice and welcome.” With the donations that come in, the fund helps Amsterdammers in urgent financial need. “The interpretation of this is very diverse and depends on the situation: from grocery money to a new bed.”

The Amsterdam writer and book translator Manik Sarkar thought it was ‘ridiculous’ that the energy discount is not income-related. He therefore decided his energy discount via 190euro.nl distributed among the three funds. “I am confident that my money will end up well through Wees Warmhart.”

Madelien de Regt, location manager of a daycare center, also donated her energy discount. “I live in Amsterdam-Noord and notice big differences between rich and poor.” According to her, the concept is ‘very simple, effective and transparent’. “The money is directly spent on a fellow Amsterdammer who can use it well. In this way I like to help my fellow man.”

The initiators expect that the counter will continue to rise. More and more Amsterdammers are aware of the initiative, they hear. “Many people have not yet had their energy contribution and may wait to transfer it. In December, all households will receive another 190 euros. After that, Sinterklaas and Santa Claus will arrive, then we want to draw extra attention to it.”