Page 5 - ARUBA BANK

A14 LOCAL
Saturday 23 december 2017

This page is sponsored by:

You Can Help Keeping Aruba Happy:

‘We Are Not Only a Food Bank, but

Help Reintegration into Society’

The foundation is a well-oiled organization and
it is much more than just handing out food
packages. Jareth: ‘We provide registered cli-
ents with food packages, we offer ad-hoc
help with crisis packages to those in immedi-
ate need and we have participation projects
to help our clients reintegrate into society.” The
last part is not to be underestimated as it is an
important focus for the foundation. “Clients
can start here as a volunteer to learn getting
into the working process again and after we
help them find a job or –if they are ready- we
help finding a job straight away. We have our
own store, Cosoma, where we sell clothing
and food for low prices. All profits go to the
foundation because we are non-profit and
ORANJESTAD - Fundacion Pa Nos Comunidad non-governmental. We also provide in courses
(FPNC) means ‘Foundation for our Commu- for social reintegration like Assertive Course.”
nity’ in Papiamento. Goal of the foundation is The foundation has two former clients that are
to fight poverty, mental emergency and social employed here now and one of them is nomi-
exclusion in the widest sense of the word. This nated for the Volunteer of The year Award:
is done regardless of nationality, religion or Edison Asprilla. “And we also pay house visits
culture. It is the only official food bank in the is- to stay in close touch with our clients and see
land. Aruba Today spoke with Jareth Vermeu- what they need.”
len, Project & Entrepreneur Coordinator of the
foundation. “There is poverty in the island and Share the Bread
it is growing, it is not only happiness here. Most The moment you enter the foundation you
clients lost their job and fall hard. Young and feel the positive vibe that rubs off. People with
old, family crisis’s, it can happen to all of us.” a good heart work here and you feel that
good is done. “Three times a week we hand
out bread, donated by supermarkets Super-
food and Save-A-Lot. Than we have the food
packages that contain elementary products.
But we definitely can use more help.” There is
a waiting list with more than the double num-
ber of registrations than the current number of
clients. With more support they can obviously
help more people. FNPC works together with
the Social Affairs department in the govern-
ment and is also the overarching foundation
for other social organizations.

Elegant Clothes
While you are on vacation in our beautiful paradise, why not
take the chance to get in touch with a good cause to give
some of your happiness to others. Your time, a gift or any other
contribution will help you and them. Step by the foundation
and hear the enthusiasm of Jareth and his colleagues about
this professional foundation that plays an important role to keep
your favorite vacation island also happy for their inhabitants.
“For short time we are in need of elegant clothing that our cli-
ents can wear these holidays and also to job interviews. In regu-
lar sizes as we get a lot irregular sizes. The same for shoes. For all
ages, children to adults. Of course, we are happy with any kind
of help. Just call us to step by. You are most welcome.”q

If you would like to visit the foundation, please call +(297) 588-0002 and ask for Jareth Vermeulen. On Tuesdays there are tours from 8 – 10.30 am
and 2.30 – 5 pm. If you would like to donate, please do so at bank account ArubaBank 1000 or CMB Bank 60001000 or RBC Bank 4419502. For more
information visit the website: www.fpncaruba.com or Facebook: Fundacion Pa Nos Comunidad (FPNC Aruba).