The Asser council wants to do more for the Food Bank, which has more and more mouths to feed in the city. It is not directly about money, but about official support to this voluntary organization.
A ‘more bearable’ and ‘humane’ distribution system for food parcels should also be considered, for example in the form of a food pass. But according to politicians, it is up to the food bank itself to determine whether and how they want it.
A motion, calling for more support and working on a future-proof food bank, came tonight from 50PLUS, ChristenUnie, Stadspartij PLOP, Assen Central and PvdA.
All parties believe that the Food Bank, with all its volunteers, deserves more support. Especially now that more clients are registering, energy costs are rising and there is much less supply of products. “We are sincerely concerned about the situation at the Food Bank,” said CU party leader Bouke Weening. “But the main focus remains on distributing food. Helping them innovate is fine, but in the end they decide for themselves which system they want to use.”
At the Asser food bank they are also interested in a modern way of providing food packages. But due to the acute growth of requests for help, they currently have their hands more than full. When it comes to future-proofing, it is about investigating and tackling the shame threshold that residents have to cross towards the physical food bank and collecting sufficient food.
CU alderman Cor Staal (poverty) has to talk to the food bank about their need for support. He must also discuss the possible introduction of a food pass, a system that is being experimented with in Rotterdam. He must also release official support to guarantee the continuity, reach and aid capacity of the food bank.
The food bank will also have the opportunity to use communication channels of the municipality to reach all residents. For example for more volunteers. In three months’ time, the council wants to know what the conversation with the food bank has yielded and what help they want.
The call for help and modernization of the food bank in Assen came from 50PLUS party chairman Clemens Otto on Monday. He pointed out the special food pass, which they use for a trial run in Rotterdam. According to Otto, such a system would better guarantee the privacy of clients and shame would no longer be a barrier to asking for help with such a pass. Such a food debit card also gives more freedom of choice, because clients can use it to do their own shopping in a supermarket.