Food Bank Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary at the DAF Museum
On September 29, the Eindhoven Food Bank (VBE) celebrated its 20th anniversary at the DAF Museum. How wonderful that one volunteer organization can lend a helping hand to another—true engaged Eindhoven residents supporting each other!
During the festive celebration, Mayor Jeroen Dijsselbloem was also present to address the guests. The Food Bank invited nearly two hundred people: 45 special guests and 150 volunteers from their organization. Thanks in part to the hospitality of ten of our own volunteers, it truly became a memorable anniversary.
History of the Food Bank
In 2004, the first signs and realization emerged that Eindhoven needed a food bank.
Together with a small team, Pieter Tankink started with literally nothing: “There was no money, no storage space, no housing, no transport, no food procurement, and no legal foundation. After the initial start, they quickly received financial support from companies, associations, schools, churches, and individuals. Food came from supermarkets and wholesalers.”
Thus, in early 2005, the Eindhoven Food Bank became an independent foundation. Today, it has grown into a professional, well-oiled organization. And that’s necessary, because behind the bright lights of the city, hundreds of households live with food insecurity every day. Over 4% of Eindhoven’s population lives in poverty—around ten thousand fellow citizens.
A wonderful organization, as their chairman put it: “We get everything for free, we do everything for free, and we give everything for free.”
We are proud that the DAF Museum could provide them with the space to celebrate this milestone in a well-deserved way.