Petra brings people together to share a meal and a laugh

Petra Pinckaers works in cleaning at Vebego Cleaning Services and also in a gym hall in Cadier en Keer. But on Wednesdays? That’s when you’ll find her in the kitchen of Vorkje Prikken Foundation in Maastricht, where she and a dedicated group of volunteers organize a weekly dinner for local residents. Petra shares the story with a smile: “We never know what we’re going to cook. That’s always a surprise. But that we’re cooking; that’s a given.”

At Vorkje Prikken, it’s not just about the food. It’s about connection, warmth and being seen. “Some people simply can’t afford a night out. Or they’re on their own and find it hard to join something. We make sure they can still take a seat at the table.”

A street food festival for everyone
When Petra read about “My Effort, My Project” in an email from Vebego Foundation, she immediately thought of her volunteer work. She decided to apply. Not for something ordinary, but for something special: a one-off Street Food Festival for all the visitors of Vorkje Prikken. “It’s the kind of thing you normally never get to experience. And if you look at the price of a ticket for one of those festivals… that’s just not doable for many people.”

“Some people simply can’t afford a night out. Or they’re on their own and find it hard to join something. We make sure they can still take a seat at the table.”

Thanks to support from Vebego Foundation, it did become doable. Petra received a €500 grant and was able to bring the festival to life. “The best moment? That was when I stood outside and saw everyone sitting together. People who normally never talk to each other were chatting away. That was incredibly meaningful.”

“Don’t overthink it. Just go for it!”
Petra is clear: “If you’re doing volunteer work, you should absolutely apply for this. Tell them what you’re doing, explain why you want to organize something… and before you know it, it’s all arranged. It’s really not difficult. You receive the forms by email, and from there, it almost takes care of itself.”

“You don’t need a big plan. If it gives you energy and makes someone else happy, that’s enough.”

With her story, Petra hopes to inspire other colleagues to submit their own project to Vebego Foundation. “You really don’t need some grand idea. If you’re doing something that energizes you and helps others, that’s already more than enough.”