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Wednesday 27 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’
ORANJESTAD - Fundacion Pa Nos Comunidad The foundation is a well-oiled organization and
(FPNC) means ‘Foundation for our Commu- it is much more than just handing out food
nity’ in Papiamento. Goal of the foundation is packages. Jareth: ‘We provide registered cli-
to fight poverty, mental emergency and social ents with food packages, we offer ad-hoc
exclusion in the widest sense of the word. This help with crisis packages to those in immedi-
is done regardless of nationality, religion or ate need and we have participation projects
culture. It is the only official food bank in the is- to help our clients reintegrate into society.” The
land. Aruba Today spoke with Jareth Vermeu- last part is not to be underestimated as it is an
len, Project & Entrepreneur Coordinator of the important focus for the foundation. “Clients
foundation. “There is poverty in the island and can start here as a volunteer to learn getting
it is growing, it is not only happiness here. Most into the working process again and after we
clients lost their job and fall hard. Young and help them find a job or –if they are ready- we
old, family crisis’s, it can happen to all of us.” 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
non-governmental. We also provide in courses
for social reintegration like Assertive Course.”
The foundation has two former clients that are
employed here now and one of them is nomi-
nated for the Volunteer of The year Award:
Edison Asprilla. “And we also pay house visits
to stay in close touch with our clients and see
what they need.”
Share the Bread
The moment you enter the foundation you
feel the positive vibe that rubs off. People with
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).
