Be aware of fake collector of donations in north Amsterdam

The food bank in Amsterdam and district North are warning people to be on alert for the possibly malicious Foundation Food Bank Relief, which goes door to door around the holidays, collecting money under false pretenses.The permit, allowing the foundation to go door to door with its own collection boxes until January 12, has been withdrawn. As early as December 20, the Food Bank started receiving calls from alarmed Amsterdam residents, who had their doubts about the collecting volunteers on their doorsteps. collectebus
Raimond Spekking
Wikimedia commons 'We have nothing to do with it,' stresses Mariët Bolluijt, board member of the Food Bank. 'We never collect.' Still the foundation claims in its application it 'continuously donates money to the Food Bank Netherlands.' The foundation reportedly also recruits volunteers, organizes charity evenings, collects funds, and approaches food producers and retailers for donations. 'As with every request we checked the registration with the Chamber of Commerce and the deed,' said a district spokesperson. 'Both documents were in order. But police tipped us that the relationship between the Foundation and the Food Bank does not exist.' North is the only district that received an official request from the foundation. It is unclear where the foundation collected, and how much was collected. Other districts have been made aware of the existence of the rogue club. 'This is very annoying, because it harms our reputation. I ask people not to give to collectors who show up on their doorstep and claim to collect for the food bank', said Bolluijt.