Fred and Francien receive an envelope with fifty euros in Hoorn: ‘Very nice helping hand’

Burning question

On Friday evening a white BMW drives onto the grounds of the Food Bank in Hoorn. He hands out thirty envelopes with 50 euros. As soon as he hands it out, he’s gone again just as quickly. Francien is still a little shaken by the noble action. She regrets that the man is anonymous. She would like to ask him why he gave this generous gift. She hopes to be able to ask him again one day, and to thank him personally.

By the way, she keeps the money carefully stored at her home until Christmas. “Boxing Day, we all put some money in the pot with friends and enjoy a delicious gourmet.” Without the gift received on Friday, she would probably have been able to make up less, just like in previous years. “That’s a feeling I’ve had for years and I find it very annoying. The fact that I can put just as much into the pot now is because of this generous giver. It’s great.”

Fred is also in line on Friday and is the last to receive an envelope. “I felt sorry for the boy behind me.” He didn’t hesitate for a second and said to the boy, “You know what? We’ll just share the envelope.” No sooner said than done. Fred shares the amount of 50 euros and is still happy that he did this even after the weekend.

He says about the campaign itself: “Times are not easy so this is a very nice helping hand.” He himself bought petrol for his car with the 25 euros. “Because of my poor health, even small walking distances are not possible for me. This way I am a lot more mobile again.”

25 euros in shopping money

Horinees in heart and soul, Jan van der Gracht, was also pleasantly surprised by the action last Friday. “It’s a wonderful gesture.” But, he continues realistically, no matter how large the amount seems, ‘it will soon be finished’. “If you have to do groceries for a family of five, there isn’t much left.” According to Van Der Gracht, it often happens that people donate something anonymously to organizations such as the Food Bank. “It is very welcome. Some of my clients have to get by on 25 euros a week.”

With his foundation ‘Noodzaak Hoorn’ he has been collecting food for fifteen years for people from the city who are less well off financially. Because waiting times at the Food Bank are currently very high, he is trying to contribute in this way.

Like last years, he will start again this year with a special Christmas collection. The concept of it is simple. For ten days, Jan takes place in front of various supermarkets in Hoorn with a large cart and poster. “People are free to give whatever they want, as long as it’s food.”