What began as a small-scale initiative grew into the West Kleedt Aan Foundation: an ANBI-registered charity, supported by a large group of enthusiastic volunteers.
The shop on Piet Paaltjenspad offers free second-hand clothing for adults. From basics to party wear and from women’s to men’s clothing, supplemented with whatever the season demands. Everyone is welcome and no means test, referral or other conditions are required. Visitors can take a few items home for free per visit. A voluntary contribution to the foundation is welcome, but nothing is compulsory.
The clothing comes from local residents, private donors, local organisations and second-hand shops. Volunteers carefully inspect and sort everything. This means that a coat that has been hanging in one person’s wardrobe for ages can become a favourite for someone else.
Clothing is also given a new lease of life at Atelier TextielLap. Volunteers repair donated clothes where necessary and possible, so that they can be worn again. Local residents can also go there for minor repairs to their own clothes; most repairs cost between €1 and €5. Volunteers also make handmade items, such as bags, scrunchies and kitchen aprons, from leftover and donated textiles.
Anyone with good-quality clothes to spare can donate them to West Kleedt Aan. And anyone who spots something they like can take a few items home for free.
As well as running the shops, West Kleedt Aan organises free clothing markets and pop-ups several times a year, for example in community centres in Amsterdam-West and Nieuw-West. WKA also regularly gets involved in existing neighbourhood activities, markets and events. This means that West Kleedt Aan can be found in various locations around the neighbourhood, as well as in its permanent shops.
And if you’d like to get involved: new volunteers are always welcome. No experience is necessary, but enthusiasm and a friendly attitude are essential.
