In Amsterdam Protestant Churches come to the aid of people who can no longer pay their energy bills. In the coldest months, the churches make their building available as a ‘heating place’, so that people who have to turn off the stove at home can still work in a warm place.
Margriet Valkman, who works at the Protestant Church in Amsterdam, explains: “We are joining an initiative of the Salvation Army. We have called on churches to sign up. People can go to those churches during the day to eat a hot meal or work there.” Margriet cannot yet say how many churches are participating: “We have only just placed the call.”
In church meeting places in the city there are voices that this help is really needed. Margriet: “There I meet people with a small budget. They are finding it increasingly difficult to pay the bills, and that is why we feel called to help.”
Amsterdam is not the only place where these kinds of initiatives take place. In the municipality of Westland, the church has also made an appeal: ‘Donate your energy allowance if you can spare it’. And that works, because around 12,000 euros has now been raised there. It is not clear whether this type of campaign will also be set up in North Holland.