The association, run by 18 volunteers, helps vulnerable citizens in Jammerbugt Municipality with basic necessities such as food, clothing, kitchen equipment, and baby supplies – completely free of charge.

– Our target group is citizens with the very lowest incomes. Here they can pick up what they need without having to explain themselves or document more than necessary, says Ruth Andersen, who founded the association in 2018 after she herself had faced financial challenges due to illness.

– I promised myself that if I got through it, I would help others in the same situation.

A store with dignity

The association is located in the former kindergarten in Kaas, which Jammerbugt Municipality has made available. Here, the facilities have been transformed into a small 'store' where the shelves are filled with everything from clothing, sportswear, and shoes to glass, electronics, and toys.

– We have women's clothing sorted by size, aids in the blue room, and kitchen items in another, and so on. We try to create order and clarity so that the visit feels safe and dignified, says Ruth Andersen during a tour.

Treasurer Nanna Jurkuhn and spokesperson Ruth Andersen.

On Thursday mornings, it is open from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, and between 25 and 30 citizens usually show up. The atmosphere is good, and there is coffee and tea as well as French bread on the table for those who wish.

– We make an effort to create a pleasant atmosphere. For some, it can be a challenge to come here, and our entrance is at the back of the building to ensure discretion, says Ruth Andersen.

Food, people – and a trailer

Every week, volunteers drive around to stores in Aabybro and other places to collect food waste, which is sorted and registered according to the guidelines of the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration.

The association relies on people donating items that others can benefit from. Additionally, donations of all sizes help make a difference.

– We convert all amounts into pasta – for example, if we receive 150 kroner via Mobilepay, we can buy 30 bags of pasta when it's on sale for five kroner, says Ruth Andersen with a smile.

The new trailer makes work easier for the volunteers.

Recently, Fonden Sol og Strand, through Margit og Kjeld, donated 15,000 kroner for a closed trailer – an important tool for the association.

– Occasionally, we receive large amounts of food or have the opportunity to pick up items from stores that are closing. It has been difficult to transport in private cars. Now we have a trailer, and it makes a big difference, says Nanna Jurkuhn, who has been a volunteer with Næstehjælperne since 2019.

The health clinic in Burkina Faso was set to close in February 2022, but Fonden Det Nytter has since been able to cover the operating costs.
Næstehjælperne assist citizens affected by reform in Jammerbugt Municipality – i.e., citizens who are on social assistance, long-term sick leave, in resource programs, in job clarification programs, single parents on student grants, integration benefits, and other social assistance-like benefits.

Næstehjælperne expect an increased need for assistance due to a new social assistance reform that came into effect on July 1 this year.

Næstehjælperne accept almost everything – except furniture, bicycles, and books. They prefer that clothing donated is in good condition, meaning without stains and holes.