Armoedecoalitie and Hans Anders: working together on prospects for people in poverty and debt

Utrecht, 27 December 2019 - The Armoedecoalitie Utrecht and the Utrecht stores of optical retail chain Hans Anders have announced - at the opening of the new Hans Anders shop in Hoog Catharijne - that they intend to work closely together to offer more prospects for people in poverty and debt. The official opening saw board member Angeli Engels hand over a cheque for €15,000 to Jules van Dam, president of the Armoedecoalitie. This will enable the organisation to help fifty people who are unable to purchase glasses with buying a complete pair of prescription glasses with accompanying professional eye measurement.

Participation in society

It is important for the Armoedecoalitie that people who live on or below the poverty line can continue to take part in society and that social exclusion is prevented. Good eyesight is an important factor here. Chairman Jules van Dam: ‘Participation is hugely important to people in poverty and debt, and poor eyesight is a great obstacle. If you only have fifty euros a week to live off, purchasing new glasses is not within your reach. That is why we are very happy with the collaboration with Hans Anders.’

Good eyesight accessible and available for everyone

After its foundation in 1982, Hans Anders caused a revolution in the optical retail market by offering fashionable glasses with prescription lenses at much lower prices than previously seen. The company’s mission is still to make good quality eye care and hearing care affordable for everyone. Director Angeli Engels: ‘From the perspective of our mission, it speaks for itself that we care about those who have found themselves in a situation where they no longer have the financial breathing space to afford a pair of glasses when they really need one. That is why Hans Anders enjoys working with the Utrecht Armoedecoalitie, which works with our shops to ensure that even the most financially vulnerable in Utrecht can continue to take part in society.’

The cheque comes with fifty vouchers that the Armoedecoalitie and associated organisations can issue as they see fit, to Utrecht residents who are most in need of eye care and glasses. Engels: Our partner the Armoedecoalitie is able to put a face to poverty like no other. Thanks to the collaboration, we know our contribution will have the intended effect.’

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Noot voor de redactie (niet voor publicatie):

Note for the editors (not for publication):

The Armoedecoalitie Utrecht was founded on 30 October 2009. More and more partners have joined since then. Together, we work to combat poverty and social exclusion. The members of the coalition are united in a single aim: to combat poverty and eliminate social exclusion. The ultimate goal is: to offer prospects to people in poverty and debt - especially children. The coalition wants to achieve this by joining forces, improving support and services, and coming up with innovative initiatives.

Hans Anders was established in 1982 and is now a successful value-for-money retailer in glasses, contact lenses and hearing aids, offering high quality at competitive prices. Hans Anders, as part of the group, is the market leader in the Netherlands and has more than 400 shops in the Netherlands and Belgium. In Sweden, the Hans Anders Retail Group operates under the brand Direkt Optik with 40 shops. The chain Eyes + More, with 170 shops in Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, and Austria is also part of the Hans Anders retail group.