And that also shows how social the Social Shop is. It is essentially a clothing bank, but they also help people with other matters such as applying for benefits and applying for funds. More than six hundred people use this.
The clothing bank had been working with the City Life Church from Assen for some time, but it has now taken over the majority of the organization. “Fortunately, the original volunteers remain,” says Arnoud Sturing, pastor at the church. “I am very proud. In just a few days, volunteers have completely transformed this place.”
They want to continue the Social Shop concept in the same way. Sturing: “What we do on Sunday is important, but what we do during the week is perhaps even more important. We want to provide unconditional practical and social help without too much screening.”
Sturing and Kamminga hope to welcome the first people to the new location on January 16. They emphasize that others are also welcome to come shop for second-hand clothing. The proceeds will benefit the clothing bank. The store is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 12 noon and 3 p.m.
They also want to call on people to donate clothing. Kamminga: “At one point there was only one jacket for one child. So we could really use winter clothing at the moment.”
Watch this video to see what the new clothing bank looks like: