We are Flexiforum - the Food Bank Limburg-South

The Flexiforum in Kerkrade provides space for various municipal and social organizations, as well as service providers and commercial businesses. Based on the central themes of learning, working and living, the environment of the Flexiforum provides the various tenants with an optimal place to create a dynamic and lively community and thus serve the residents of Kerkrade even better.

Which tenants are housed in the Flexiforum, how they can serve the residents of Kerkrade and how they are shaping this intended community, they tell themselves in a series of interviews. This time we hear from Jos Leuven and Hans Wiertz of the board of Voedselbank Limburg-South. They talk about the Food Bank, its new direction and the value that the Flexiforum location can add.

We are Flexiforum

Jos Leuven and Hans Wiertz of Voedselbank Limburg-Zuid
"The Food Bank is a familiar concept to most people," Jos explains. "If, for whatever reason, you find yourself in the situation where your disposable income is insufficient to meet certain basic needs yourself, you can appeal to the Voedselbank," adds Hans. The Food Bank then puts together a varied food package each week based on donations they receive from supermarkets and fruit and vegetable suppliers. With 13 distribution locations in South Limburg alone, including 2 in Kerkrade, this is a facility that many a Limburg family gratefully uses. The food bank provides the food obtained free of charge to people in need and does so exclusively with unpaid volunteers.

Flexiforum as part of a new direction

"The Flexiforum location did not come out of the blue for the Food Bank Limburg-South," Hans said. "This location fits our new direction perfectly. We want to shake off the old image of the Food Bank. That misplaced shame really needs to get rid of it. So that also means that we don't want to house in a backward location, but in the middle of other organizations." According to Jos, a location like Flexiforum exudes "in the middle of society. "We find that very important, the Food Bank deserves such a place in the middle of society."

The directors of the Food Bank Limburg-South also see the potential of the Flexiforum as a place to collaborate with other tenants. "We see a huge overlap in target groups. The moment we can be 'ambassadors' for each other, we'll get a lot more run-ins from people and we'll therefore also be able to serve our target groups much better and more completely. Take a look at the cooperation with the municipality of Kerkrade. The way we were welcomed with open arms in the Flexiforum and the cooperative attitude of the municipality in shaping our new course are heartwarming. We are sure that this is the right place for us to start realizing our new ambitions!"

The Food Bank is of and for everyone!

Could you use a helping hand and are you curious to know whether you qualify for a weekly food package from the Voedselbank Limburg-South or would you like to contribute selflessly as a volunteer? Go to the website: www.voedselbanklimburg-zuid.nl mail to info@voedselbanklimburg-zuid.nl or call 045-5331933.