Hundreds of Zaan families have noticed extra hard that purchasing power has plummeted. Even normal bread is not self-evident for them and that is why Cindy Slaper-van der Werff helps them with that. The initiator of the foundation Prakkie About 075 Zaandam is currently receiving new registrations every day.
Cindy has good contacts with various bakers in the area. She can pick up unsold bread from them the next day, after which she can distribute it to the people. These are people who for whatever reason cannot knock on the door of the Food Bank. For example, they earn just too much.
Emergency help for family
In addition, there is an action this week for a family that is still in the waiting room for an application at the Food Bank. “The pantry is almost completely empty,” says the 21-year-old mother of the family to whom the help is given. A firm rule of Cindy is that the families to whom emergency aid is given remain anonymous.
Recently, the family (consisting of the 21-year-old mother, her 26-year-old boyfriend and their 1-year-old child) has a guardian. Father has a Wajong benefit, mother was fired from work after she injured her knee in two scooter accidents. Their current disposable budget: fifty euros a week. “We called the food bank and they didn’t have room right away. I won’t have an introductory meeting until the 23rd, we hope the approval will be there at the end of August.”
In the meantime, big bags full of food are waiting for them, along with baby food and dog food. “It worked, it runs like a train,” says a proud Cindy about her relief effort. “I didn’t expect such a success!”
Meanwhile, Ronny Hensen comes to pick up some of the loaves. He also spreads it again in his environment. “And my neighbors also have acquaintances who are in heavy weather. Of course you can’t get people out of the pit completely, but you can soften the suffering,” he explains.
He himself is also happy with the loaves. “Inflation isn’t it: the groceries, the rent, everything is going up. But not my pension. Then you will be in heavy weather. We are therefore very happy with Cindy, she is just an angel. If you are not an angel you can do this don’t hold out.”