Bruges Food Bank Huize Fotini faces eviction 

Sarhan Basem
Credit: Koen Theuns

Bruges (Brussels Morning Newspaper) –  In January 2025, Bruges food bank Huize Fotini in Sint-Pieters, led by Christiane De Rutter, facing eviction affecting over 100 families. The city offered St. Paul’s Church, but it was unsuitable.

The city offered a new location for the food bank at St. Paul’s Church. According to authorities, the church did not have the right space or facilities for its operations. This search for a new home is even harder. With the deadline approaching, the food bank was in a hurry to find a solution. They mentioned that they wanted to keep helping the community without any breaks. 

That notice came at a very inconvenient time,

says chairwoman Christiane De Rutter.

We had to wait for the new city council and then there was the end-of-year period when not much happened. Moreover, the St. Paul’s Church, which the city offered us as an alternative, was unsuitable.

Will Huize Fotini Food Bank find a new home before eviction?

Christiane De Rutter, the chairwoman of Huize Fotini, talked about the problems they faced in moving the food bank. The city offered St. Paul’s Church as a new place but said that it was not suitable for their needs. 

The sacristy was suggested for storing and distributing food, but it was still filled with items. This left the food bank without a way to store and share food with those in need. They mentioned that many volunteers are elderly, so they could not take on the extra work of cleaning the space. Because of this, the church was not a good choice for the food bank right now.

As the deadline to leave the building approached, the food bank could not find a new place in time. De Rutter was upset because the city did not help them find a new home. She understood that the school needed its classrooms back, but after 20 years of service, the food bank deserved more support.

De Rutter called the situation a “minor ending” to their long time in the community. He mentioned that despite their efforts, the slow response and little support were discouraging. They had hoped for more help but had to accept the reality of the situation.

Pieter Marchal, the Bruges alderman for Heritage Management, responded to the complaints from Huize Fotini and Christiane De Rutter about the city’s lack of support. He denied their claims and defended the city’s actions. Marchal said the city did everything it could to help the food bank. 

He expressed regret that Huize Fotini decided to stop operating. However, he insisted that the city provided as much support as it could. The food bank’s leaders felt abandoned by the city at that time.

As a city, we have done what we can. In any case, I regret that the decision was made to stop,

says Pieter Marchal (CD&V),

How will Huize Fotini’s closure impact over 100 families?

The closing of Huize Fotini created a big problem for 35 families, or more than 100 people, who relied on its services each month. The food bank provided food through various channels, like the West Flanders food bank, the European fund FEAD, Mintus, and direct donations.

After it closed, Christiane De Rutter said they worked to help those who depended on the food bank find other resources. They referred families to the CAW and the OCMW, as well as other food banks in Bruges. This was to ensure that people could still get food and support.

We referred all these people to the CAW and the OCMW and to the other food banks in Bruges,

Deruytter concludes.

In mid-December, the food bank Huize Fotini in Sint-Pieters faced a serious issue. The school group that owns the building told them they must leave by the end of January 2025. The school plans to renovate the buildings and use them again, leaving the food bank without a place. 

Christiane De Rutter, the chairwoman, explained that the food bank had been waiting for the new city council to form. With the end of the year coming, many important actions and talks were delayed. He mentioned that the holiday season added more difficulty because many people were unavailable. 

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Sarhan Basem is Brussels Morning's Senior Correspondent to the European Parliament. With a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, Sarhan brings a unique blend of linguistic finesse and analytical prowess to his reporting. Specializing in foreign affairs, human rights, civil liberties, and security issues, he delves deep into the intricacies of global politics to provide insightful commentary and in-depth coverage. Beyond the world of journalism, Sarhan is an avid traveler, exploring new cultures and cuisines, and enjoys unwinding with a good book or indulging in outdoor adventures whenever possible.
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