Many tasks
The helpers arrange food, clothes, books and all sorts of other necessities. In addition, they keep the people in hiding up-to-date with the news from Amsterdam.
Anne writes:
"Miep has so much to carry she looks like a pack mule. She goes forth nearly every day to scrounge up vegetables and then bicycles back with her purchases in large shopping bags. She's also the one who brings five library books with her every Saturday...Ordinary people don't know how much books can mean to someone who's cooped up.”
Division of tasks
The four helpers divide the responsibilities. Miep Gies and Bep Voskuijl see to the necessities of daily life. Johannes Kleiman and Victor Kugler concentrate on the safety of the people in hiding and finances for the hiding period.
Miep also brings library books to the Secret Annex once a week.
Jan Gies and Mr. Voskuijl
Also Jan Gies, Miep's husband, and Johan Voskuijl, Bep's father, are involved in helping. Jan Gies is able to arrange for ration coupons via his contacts with city officials. Father Voskuijl, the warehouse manager, constructs the movable bookcase to conceal the entrance to the Secret Annex.
Courses
Of course, the people in hiding need more than just food. They are also able to count on their helpers for other necessities. For instance, using her own name, Bep Voskuijl orders stenography and Latin correspondence courses for some of the people in hiding.
Cinema & Theater
Victor Kugler brings the people in hiding newspapers and magazines. For Anne Frank, he especially makes sure to bring a copy of Cinema & Theater magazine. Anne writes: “Mr. Kugler makes me happy every Monday by bringing me a copy of Cinema & Theater magazine. The less worldly members of our household often refer to this small indulgence as a waste of money, yet they never fail to be surprised at how accurately I can list the actors in any given movie, even after a year."
Revues "Cinema & Theater"
Sunshine of the Secret Annex
Johannes Kleiman also brings books to the Secret Annex, and he sometimes visits on the weekend with his wife. Anne writes about Johannes Kleiman in her diary: "'When Mr. Kleiman enters a room, the sun begins to shine,' Mother said recently, and she's absolutely right.” In addition, the other helpers sometimes drop by on the weekends to keep the people in hiding company.