Everyone is welcome to join for a meal

Petra Walraven: “I once brought some food to my ex when a cyclist didn’t show up. Alright, I thought, I’ll help out. Later on, I became a co-coordinator and in September last year they asked me to become a board member of Buurtbuik Zuid.”

Delicious meal“Buurtbuik is a great organization, against food waste and for social cohesion. We collect food from supermarkets and companies that is on date or one day past the date and turn it into a delicious meal. Everyone is welcome to join for a meal. I always say: as long as I’m here, no one goes hungry.”Typical Amsterdam“I also coordinate every two weeks on Thursdays and once a month on Saturdays. And making contact with new suppliers is also part of the job, like with Netflix. I am a true Amsterdammer, the type who is straightforward. My mother used to always say: ‘Think before you speak.’ I try to do that too, I can be tactful but when it’s important, I say it as it is. I am the face of Buurtbuik Zuid and I am incredibly happy that I get to do this work.”

A grandma who can save some money thanks to the free meals and buy a little gift for her grandson. How nice is that?

Buy a little gift“What makes it so enjoyable? I simply get joy from making people happy. An elderly lady who can save some money thanks to the free meals and buy a little gift for her grandson. How nice is that? We have many loyal, amazing volunteers but we are looking for more cyclists who are willing to pick up products from Jumbo with our cargo bikes. So, if you care about your neighborhood and have a few hours to spare, please respond to”One of the volunteer vacancies at Buurtbuik.”Interview: Karine de Wit
Photos: Kim Cerrone

Are you interested in volunteering?

Would you like to help at Buurtbuik? Check the link above. Are you curious about other opportunities? We are happy to help you find something that suits you. You can look for yourself inour online job board(with nearly 1500 volunteer opportunities in Amsterdam) orMake an appointment at one of our locations, and we will look and think along with you.