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Feed 84 families each week at Open Hands Pantry in Nijmegen

Help keep a free food pantry open for families facing hunger in Nijmegen.

Anywhere in the world2,466 views
Isa Van Leeuwen
Email verifiedPhoto verified
Nijmegen
Since 2021, our volunteer team has run Open Hands Pantry every Saturday from the back of a community center. We started with 17 families, and now we feed 84 each week. Donations have dropped by about 51% this winter, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 14 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the Nijmegen market and keep every receipt. Each $25 feeds a family of four for a week. I'll post the weekly shopping receipts and a photo of the shelves each Sunday. Where the $1,850 goes: • Fresh vegetables and fruit: $880 • Refrigeration and electricity: $310 • Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $660 Thank you so much. - Isa

Updates from Isa

  1. Wanted to say thank you properly. 43% funded and the plan for rice, beans, flour and oil is now scheduled.

  2. Quick update: $403 raised so far (22%). we've booked the dates and paid the deposit. Receipts coming as soon as I have them.

  • Mason L. Cook 🇺🇸 · $500

    “Only $500 but hope it helps. - San Diego”

  • Anita C. Jain 🇮🇳 · $100
  • Tejaswini S. Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 · $100
  • Anjana W. Raman 🇮🇳 · $100

    “Be well - Prayagraj”

  • Yakubu Lucky Bello 🇳🇬 · $100
  • Hasan Kamrul Siddique 🇮🇳 · $100
  • Anonymous 🇫🇷 · $100

    “Keep your head up. Hope the October deadline works out. - Saint-Denis”

  • Carla L. Lombard 🇿🇦 · $100
  • Ji-hye Ha-eun Noh 🇰🇷 · $75
  • Sultana Das 🇧🇩 · $75
  • Anonymous 🇰🇷 · $63
  • Pari K. Randhawa 🇮🇳 · $56
  • Josiane Eliane Prado 🇧🇷 · $50
  • Alice Juliette Gerard 🇨🇦 · $50

    “Rooting for you. This is from my last paycheck, glad to do it. - Calgary”

  • Deepika Chathurika Bandara 🇱🇰 · $47.50
  • Nuwan Madushan Gamage 🇱🇰 · $30
  • Tim Karl Kaiser 🇩🇪 · $30
  • Tài Hiếu Hoang 🇻🇳 · $25
  • José L. Solís 🇺🇸 · $25
  • Eun-ji Hae-won Heo 🇺🇸 · $25

    “You got this. My neighbor told me about this one. - Albuquerque”

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  • Hang in there, Isa. I hope things turn around soon. After 12 years in retail I know how hard it's to ask for anything. God bless.

    • Héctor F. GarcíaPhoto verified

      So sorry you're going through this, Isa. Hope the build day goes well, wish I lived closer. This is the second need I've supported on here and the first that made me cry.

      • Hope things get better soon, Isa. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. I hope October is when things finally get easier.

        • Is there a list of costs somewhere? Just curious how it adds up for Isa

          • Isa Van LeeuwenOwnerAnswerPhoto verified

            It's all in the list in the story. fresh vegetables and fruit is the big one at $880, I'll post a receipt when it's paid. Let me know if you want more detail.

        • thinking of you and your family, Isa. I hope things turn around soon. My late mom used to say help given quietly counts double. God bless.

          • How is Isa doing now?

            • sending love. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. Thinking of Nijmegen.

              • Stay strong, Isa. I hope things turn around soon. I went through something like this 5 years ago and strangers helped me out. Thinking of Nijmegen

                • Is there anything that isn't money that would help Isa?

                  • Your post was clear and honest. Don't be hard on yourself for asking. Thinking of Nijmegen.

                    • Wishing you peace. More neighborhoods should do this. Our whole street has been following this since the weekend. All the best.

                      • Sending good thoughts, Isa. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. Take care

                        • rooting for you, Isa. It takes guts to ask. Well done.

                          • It takes guts to ask. Well done. Greetings from Athens.

                            • You're not alone, Isa. More neighborhoods should do this. God bless.

                              • take care, Isa. It takes guts to ask. Well done. All the best

                                • It takes guts to ask. Well done. My neighbor in Santos donated after I showed her your page

                                  • Batuhan Serkan KaraPhoto verified

                                    So sorry you're going through this. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. Sent it to 20 people at work.

                                    • Keep going. It takes guts to ask. Well done. I hope October is when things finally get easier. Take care.

                                      • so sorry you're going through this. Hope you get there. Love from Coimbatore.

                                        • Dinesh T. MenonPhoto verified

                                          Shared it with a few friends. I went through something like this 11 years ago and strangers helped me out. Love from Leicester

                                          • Namukasa Hellen JumaPhoto verified

                                            So sorry you're going through this, Isa. It takes guts to ask. Well done. All the best.

                                            • Wishing you peace. I hope things turn around soon. My sister had a similar thing happen so this one hit home.

                                              • Mahesh W. MauryaID verified

                                                Wishing you the best, Isa. Hope the build day goes well, wish I lived closer. My sister had a similar thing happen so this one hit home. Greetings from London.

                                                $2,096.50 raised of $1,850

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