Every Monday evening, dozens of people eat together in the Elthetokerk on Javastraat, sharing a meal cooked from food that would otherwise be thrown away.
The dinners are run by BuurtBuik Amsterdam-Oost, whose chair, Roeland Dobbe, 34, took over a few months ago after about seven years with the group.
Food is collected on Monday afternoon, and from about three o’clock volunteers plan a two- or three-course meal around whatever has come in.
Guests sit down at half past five, usually to soup, followed half an hour later by a main course with up to three options.
Dobbe says anyone is welcome, with no checks.
Sixty to seventy people come each week; many are short of money, but students, older neighbours and homeless people also join.
Many arrive alone but soon make friends, helped by a mix of long and shorter tables, and Dobbe says about 80% of guests return every week.
Some who first came only to eat now help clear up. Leftover meals can be taken home, and the doors close at about seven.
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