A third of food banks in the Netherlands are unable to find enough volunteers, according to Voedselbanken Nederland. While the total number of volunteers has increased in recent years, the organisation says there is still a shortage of people with specialist skills.
The shortages are mainly in roles that require specific expertise and long-term commitment. These include logistics coordinators, branch managers, and volunteers working in IT and human resources.
The Netherlands has 181 food banks and more than 500 distribution points that support people who struggle to afford groceries because of poverty. All food banks rely entirely on volunteers. By 2026, more than 14,000 people will be volunteering across the network.
“When people think about volunteering for the food bank, they often think of collecting and distributing food. That work is indispensable, but behind the food bank lies a much broader organisation,” said Onno van Weteringh, Board Member for Volunteers at Voedselbanken Nederland.
“That is why we are also looking for people who want to use their skills for others: skilled volunteers with a big heart,” he added.
According to Voedselbanken Nederland, the shortage of specialist volunteers is largely linked to a decline in people’s willingness or ability to commit to structured volunteer work. The organisation said many people find it harder to balance volunteering with work, studies, and informal caring responsibilities. As a result, they increasingly prefer more flexible volunteer roles.
To address the shortage, Voedselbanken Nederland has launched a recruitment campaign. The initiative mainly targets employed people aged 40 to 65, pensioners, and people between jobs or taking part in reintegration programmes.
@anp| NEWS BRAINPORT
