In Hoogeveen they can no longer do without neighborhood refrigerators. The purpose of the refrigerators: together to be a safety net for each other. According to volunteer Christy Nederhoed, the need is great.
“The refrigerator is completely empty.” Christy Nederhoed points to the refrigerator that is mounted outside, in front of the Wolfsbos residential care home. At first glance, you wouldn’t expect the gray cabinet to include a refrigerator. But the plug betrays it. There is a large sticker pasted on the cabinet. In white letters it says ‘NNCZ Neighbor for Neighbor’.
Local residents can dispose of their surplus products in the neighborhood refrigerator. It is an initiative of the North Dutch Cooperative of Care Organizations (NNCZ) together with local residents. The NNCZ also replenishes the stocks. People who need it can then take the products out again. In addition to Wolfsbos, there are also neighborhood refrigerators at other NNCZ residential care centers, including in Hollandscheveld, Haren, Grijpskerk and Noordbroek.
The project must connect with the neighborhoods, says Roeli Mossel, board member of NNCZ. “Local residents help each other and we prevent food waste.” The neighborhood refrigerators are outside the buildings, but are covered and accessible to everyone at all times.
One and a half kilometers away, in front of the NNCZ De Kaap residential complex, there is also a neighborhood refrigerator. Also here: empty. Except for two hair combs and two empty bottles of ice tea.
‘Peanut butter, margarine and shampoo’
Since June, Christy Nederhoed has been checking the fridge at Wolfsbos every Monday and Wednesday afternoon during her break. She works in the residential center at the day care. Nederhoed mainly checks whether it contains products that can no longer be kept. But with an empty fridge you’re done quickly. And that is happening more and more often, says Nederhoed. “This morning the cupboard was still filled with products such as peanut butter, margarine and shampoo.”
In addition to a refrigerator compartment, there is room on the left for other products. Such as shampoo, shower gel, sanitary towels and other products that do not belong in a refrigerator. “There are many people in Hoogeveen who also need these products, as you can see.” She points to the empty shelves.
The neighborhood refrigerator came about through the Buurvrouw&Buurfold project. Mossel started this together with Esmeralda de Vries. The project is based on the strength of the community, in other words, in Drents: naoberschap. „ No money, no rules ”, says De Vries. “We are not a foundation, we do not have a bank account. Anyone can be a neighbor.”
The need is high
The philosophy behind the project is that there is equality in giving and taking. Working together on society. “You may not need help now, but you will in the future. This does not only have to be materialistic such as clothing and food, but can also be a smile, company or a hug.” That way people don’t have to feel shame, says De Vries. “Because there is a neighbor for everyone.” Based on this philosophy, there is also a Buurfold&BuurvrouwBus and Buurvrouwatelier where they give away free clothing, meals and other products and can be delivered.
The need is high. “Some refrigerators are empty again within a few hours,” says De Vries. So neighbors are essential. But it is also a matter of fair sharing, says volunteer Nederhoed. “It is not the intention that one person takes two bags full of groceries out of the fridge every day, then nothing is left for other less fortunate people.”