We walk past them every day, often without noticing, yet we know they are suffering. I'm talking about homeless people. And I get it—I don't always help them either. But every once in a while, I stop and think: wouldn’t it be so easy to give them something? Just a simple act of kindness—a bit of food, water, or tea.
That’s exactly what "Koffiets" in Amsterdam aims to do. As the Amsterdam Branch, we decided to join this organization to carry out volunteer work in the city center. At first, we were hesitant to approach homeless people and start conversations, but we soon realized there was no reason to be. Most of them genuinely appreciate a warm cup of coffee on a cold, rainy winter day. And even if they don’t want anything to drink, simply having a short conversation can brighten their day. The experience has been incredibly rewarding, as many of them greet us with smiles and gratitude.
After our first time going out, we decided to continue our efforts by going out in pairs every week. It’s the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow SPF members while also doing something meaningful. You would expect to cycle quite an amount, but because you stop every few minutes, it's actually not that much of a total distance after 1-2 hours.
So, how can you replicate our experience on your own? There are two main options:
1. Find a local organization that provides a cargo bike and supplies, so all you have to do is show up and help.
2. Gather a small group of 2–3 people, prepare easy-to-eat food and drinks at home, and go out on your own bikes (or rent bikes for a couple of hours).
I recommend heading out around 12 pm—that’s lunchtime for many homeless individuals, and there is still light outside. Food-wise, we usually bring soup packets with hot water, sandwiches, and soft cookies. Of course, always be mindful of people under the influence of substances, but in our multiple outings, we’ve never had any issues. If the weather is particularly bad, it can be harder to find people in need, so it’s best to go when it does not rain. In Amsterdam, we’ve found that the best spots to reach homeless people are around tourist areas, bridges, and homeless shelters.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the Amsterdam branch, and hope to see some of you making the same great experience :))