Maxima Veendam

Welcome to Veendam

A trusted address in the heart of the Veenkoloniën

A welcoming shop, a committed team and a long history of local collaboration.

In the heart of the Veenkoloniën, on Boven Oosterdiep, Kledingbank Maxima Veendam is a trusted address for residents who could temporarily use some extra support. Our location welcomes visitors from Veendam and Pekela. A committed team of volunteers makes sure everyone feels welcome and can choose suitable clothing at their own pace. Respect, personal attention and a warm welcome always come first.

Veendam has a rich history closely connected to peat extraction and shipping. Although the town has changed significantly over the years, those historic influences remain visible. Today, Veendam is a lively place with a welcoming centre, a range of shops and recreational areas such as Borgerswold. This connection to the local area is also reflected at Kledingbank Maxima: we work with local organisations to provide support where it is needed.

Kledingbank Maxima Veendam opened on 1 April 2014 as the second Maxima location in the province of Groningen. We started in a building provided on loan and registered 390 customers from the region in the first summer. The municipality of Pekela joined in 2015, expanding our service area. We are now at our third address, in a spacious shop that welcomes almost 1,000 customers each season. This has made us the busiest fashion shop in Veendam.

We support households with an income of up to 130% of the social minimum: people who can just make ends meet but do not have the financial room to buy new clothing and shoes each season. Maxima Veendam does not carry out its own income check. We rely on the judgement of social professionals and benefits agencies who know visitors' financial circumstances. They connect Maxima with people who need clothing support. In practice, this enables us to reach around 25% of the target group.

Our customer base has become increasingly diverse over the years. We welcome more visitors with a migration background and more families with children. We also work closely with the COA. Each season, we provide suitable clothing to around 350 children under the age of 18.

Our clothing bank is about more than clothing alone. A well-fitting coat, smart shoes for a job interview or good children's clothing can make a world of difference. Everything is therefore carefully checked, sorted and clearly presented. A visit feels like shopping in an ordinary fashion store, where everyone is received with dignity and respect.

Our selection includes everything for a complete wardrobe, from underwear to caps. We also offer household textiles, children's books and accessories. We are a MUP and distribution point for the Armoedefonds as well. Our range is no longer exclusively pre-owned: businesses occasionally provide surplus new clothing and shoes, while sponsors regularly contribute in kind.

Many people bring pre-owned clothing to Maxima. Unfortunately, some of it is not of sufficient quality for a second life. After careful sorting, around 10,000 to 15,000 items of clothing and shoes are still distributed each season.

Behind the scenes, around 30 volunteers work for the shop and the board. The shop team has become more diverse: many volunteers are from the target group or have a different cultural background. Tasks and responsibilities are clearly divided. Operational policy is set on the recommendation of the management team under the leadership of a board member, while the day-to-day running of the shop is managed independently.

Whether you need clothing, want to donate good clothing or would like to volunteer, you are very welcome at Kledingbank Maxima Veendam. Together, we give clothing a second life and build a society in which everyone can participate and people look out for one another.