As the cold slowly sets in in the city, De Regenboog Groep is facing a severe shortage of warm, quality men's clothing for homeless Amsterdam residents. In the organization's walk-in centres, staff are noticing a dire shortage of coats, sweaters, jeans and others. Amsterdam counts about 17,000 homeless people. De Regenboog Groep is therefore urging everyone to help: Give these people warmth and dignity by donating.
Lots of secondhand, little quality
While there is an abundance of second-hand clothing in the Netherlands, we find that, unfortunately, many clothes are not suitable for intensive use or are not warm enough. Our walk-in centres therefore prefer to receive sturdy, quality clothing that actually helps homeless men during cold days and nights. We specifically ask for clothes that are good enough to wear themselves: winter coats, sweaters, jeans, sturdy shoes, socks and sleeping bags.
Clothes make man
For homeless Amsterdam residents, clothing goes beyond physical warmth. "A good, clean coat or pair of pants gives people not only warmth, but also a sense of dignity and self-worth," says Kathleen Denkers, site head of walk-in centre Makom.
"For homeless Amsterdam residents, good clothing provides protection from the weather and withstands heavy use due to its durable quality, as they often have few opportunities to change or wash clothes. With better clothing, they are less conspicuous in a negative sense and more likely to participate in society. But most of all, it gives them a chance to be seen not just as 'the homeless person,' but as a human being. That small piece makes a huge difference."
"A good, clean coat or pants gives people not only warmth, but also a sense of dignity and self-worth."
Where and when to donate?
You can drop off clothes at De Regenboog Groep's walk-in centres throughout December. These are the addresses and opening hours:
.| AMOC South | Stadhouderskade 159 | Monday to Fri, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Blaka Watra | Droogbak 1C | Monday to Sun, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| The Kloof | Kloveniersburgwal 95 | Monday to Sat, 09.00 to 15.00 |
| Makom | Van Ostadestraat 153 | Monday to Fri, 12:30 to 18:30 |
| Oud West | Bilderdijkstraat 182 | Wednesday to Mon, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
| Princehof | Oudezijds Voorburgwal 165 | Monday to Fri, 10:30 to 16:30 |
| De Spreekbuis | Wede Oosterparkstraat 72 | ma to fri, 08.00 to 16.30 |
| Zeeburg | Zeeburgerdijk 53 | do to di, 09.30 to 16.30 |
| AMOC West | Transformatorweg 6 | Mond to Sun, 09:00 to 16:00 |
| Villa Westerweide | Provincialeweg 220, Zaandam | di to za, 14.00 to 21.00 |