Upper Vocational School and Food Bank join forces in Heerlen-North
On Wednesday, February 19, Food Bank Limburg-Zuid opened its brand new store at Passartweg 150 in Heerlen. Here clients do not receive traditional food packages, but can do their own shopping, tailored to their own needs. This renewed store concept offers more freedom of choice and independence for people who are temporarily struggling to meet their food needs. The new concept was made possible by linking participants from the municipalities of Heerlen, Brunssum and Beekdaelen to this location and closing the former distribution points.
Alderman Arlette Vrusch of the municipality of Heerlen hopes the new store concept will give more direction to people who need this help:
It gives people more control over their households. They can choose appropriate food and thus build more self-reliance." Alderman Levin de Koster of Beekdaelen and Alderman Merle Brüning of Brunssum are also pleased with the new store concept: "rolling out this concept requires sufficient users. Through this cooperation, now participating residents from our municipalities can also do their shopping in this way.
Above ground vocational school
The Overground Craft School has several work spheres that fit well with the tasks and processes of the Food Bank. Employees within the Cleaning work sphere provide a clean store environment. Employees within the Service work sphere welcome customers, offering them a cup of coffee or tea in the waiting area. Employees within the work sphere Logistics receive goods and provide transport and storage. Gabriëlla Roffelsen, Director of Above Ground Trade School said:
This not only provides valuable learning experiences for our pathway staff, but also contributes to the efficiency of the Food Bank. An added value for both the clients of the Food Bank and for our organization. We are therefore delighted to welcome the Food Bank to our premises with this new concept.
Food Bank
The food bank now has two stores in Parkstad with this new concept, in Kerkrade and Heerlen. Food bank treasurer Jos Leuven:
In Heerlen, we are going a step further by partnering with the Upper Craft School and making our store a learning company as well. A unique concept that we are proud of.
More information can be found at the following websites: www.bovengrondsevakschool.nl and www.voedselbanklimburg-zuid.nl