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locAl Saturday 4 July 2020
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Fundacion Pa Nos Comunidad (FPNC), Aruba’s official food bank:

“The effect of poverty is showing itself right now”

ORANJESTAD — Aruba is their jobs, the elderly, the
entering a phase with ex- disabled, the young moth-
treme difficulties for fami- ers and the illegals. “In the
lies and this will only in- beginning people helped
crease. Aruba Today was each other and maybe
present in the Renaissance had some savings but now
Convention Center where this is gone and they are
volunteers were preparing on their own. Also the ones
food packages. Gianaika that took care of their old
van der Biezen, director parents or disabled fam-
of Fundacion Pa Nos Co- ily members may have lost
munidad (FPNC), Aruba’s their jobs themselves, leav-
official food bank: “In the ing both sides without any
previous years we helped income. FPNC does not
approximately 200 to 250 make any difference, we
families monthly, families help all people in need.”
of different compositions
from one up to five or more Wrong assumption Gianaika van der Biezen, di-
people. At this moment we There are comments within rector of Fundacion Pa Nos
have registered 3.200 fami- the community about see- Comunidad and General
Manager at Renaissance Aru-
lies who need monthly help ing people still partying ba Resort & Casino, Paul Giel
and still people keep sign- and buying alcohol which
ing up.” does not show any poverty. istrations we can use all
This is a wrong assumption, the help we can get.” She
Van der Biezen explains says Van der Biezen. “We would like to thank all vol-
that the foundation needs have many residents and unteers because they are
all the help they can get. you cannot only see the FPNC’s strength and also
“These past weeks we start ones that are partying. The the donators, from the little
to see that registrations ac- elderly, newborn moms, groups who are hidden … ing in to make this pro- to the big ones. “You all
cumulate. Every day we re- parents who both lost jobs we cannot forget about cess easier and FPNC also make us united. We are a
ceive approximately 20 to … it is impossible for them them. There are increasing works with approximately small community and in
30 new families that need to go out and party. The mental problems as well 45 other organizations to this way we can help each
support.” The foundation ones that do still have their and I hope that the com- make all match. “The most other.”
has the people that were jobs or any kind of income munity does not make as- urgent need is the baby
already registered before so I cannot relate to this sumptions based on social powder milk and pam- Renaissance helps
the COVID-19 crisis and wrong assumption.” She media posts.” pers. You can’t explain a General Manager at Re-
have always been the most sees the poverty with her baby that there is no milk naissance Aruba Resort &
vulnerable group in the own eyes and the situation No baby milk and if you do not give the Casino, Paul Giel is facilitat-
community but now they is reaching its top. “Do re- The support that FPNC is right milk they can get ing FPNC with their conven-
add the people that lost alize we have vulnerable providing exists of food sick or get allergies,” Van tion room. “Renaissance
packages, delivery of hot der Biezen explains. FPNC and Wind Creek likes to be
meals and helping with works with donations and part of the community re-
clothing and house hold they get funding from the gardless. This opportunity
articles. Volunteers and government. “But with the occurred to us and we right
companies help by jump- enormous increase in reg- away chipped in. Many on
our island are in survival
mood and it will be a long
stretch. If we can help, why
not.”
“I just want to make clear
that everybody who is help-
ing whether it is a business-
man, volunteer, company
whoever; it is important to
create awareness that we
can all contribute and be
creative in giving a hand.
It can be in time, money,
products or in the case of
renaissance by facilitating
their space. It is important
to see how people can
help in different ways so
please reach out to us,” is
the conclusion of Francis
Saladin, president of FPNC.
Check out the website of
the food bank for more in-
formation and to donate:
https://www.fpnc.aw/. q