Meals on Wheels delivers food to those in need

Mother Theresa once said: “If you can’t feed 100 people, then just feed one.”

And so every donation helps the Meals on Wheels (MOW) in Benoni to feed someone and they have been doing so since 1973.

The organisation is international, but one of the branches found its home in Northmead in 1973 and then moved to the current premises in Rynfield in 1995, where they prepare cooked meals before delivering to the beneficiaries.

“We receive food donations from a few companies and then we have our regular donors who support us financially on a monthly basis. We can definitely do with some more financial assistance,” said leader Lee Lawrence.

Covid-19 has also played a role in the increased need of the community which has placed MOW under more pressure.

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“Our community’s need and struggle through Covid-19 and the results of inflated costs of almost everything heightened our awareness that we are struggling to reach far enough,” Lawrence explained.

“Initially, when lockdown was announced we had to lockdown as well, but that was for two weeks only. We then resumed after the Easter long weekend.

“There were only two of us who did all the cooking, packing and then asked people to help us with deliveries, as the regulations were very strict at that time with regard to over boarder travel to return to work, and taxis were only allowed to transport essential workers. But we were back in full force at the beginning of May.

“The work load has increased with all the precautions we have to take with regard to sanitising, and I might add that we are meticulous when it comes to this as we need to stay healthy so that we can keep doing what needs to be done to keep tummies full, and make sure the premises are safe and hygienic to prepare food.

“We are also using Styrofoam packaging to serve the food in. We definitely saw an increase in the need for food, but the numbers for the soup kitchens fluctuate somewhat as people come and go looking for better opportunities.”

She said there is a drastic increase in “free meals” to those who are no longer able to pay for food.

As a result, the organisation is campaigning to as many donors as possible to grant a ‘meal per week’ over one year.

“This would involve monthly debit order payments of (four x R50), which equals R200 p/m,” she explained.

“We would of course be very grateful to those persons who might wish to offer a larger grant. Anticipated donors should send an email providing details and using “meal per week” in the subject line, followed by a contact to establish finalisation.”

Lawrence explained that 440 meals are distributed per week.

“If we get food donations, that figure climbs significantly as we hand out the donations we receive,” she said.

“Everyone can do with some extra food in their homes, so we gladly send this to the beneficiaries we serve. We would like to increase the regular weekly meals in 2021 with assistance from donors.”

MOW supports their regular beneficiaries who receive food twice a week, including their soup kitchens.

They are in need of the following:

• Gas stoves
• Convotherm oven
• Car – petrol, tyres, parts.
• Fridges and freezers
• Stationery
• Salaries
• Cleaning material
• Sanitiser
• Surgical gloves for food preparation
• Plastic bags and Styrofoam containers.
• Roof fans for the kitchen
• Two cooker hoods
• Industrial food processor
• Electric potato peeler
• Electric hand mixer
• Food nets
• Industrial stick blender
• Tea towels and dish cloths
• Good quality knife sets
• HASSP-approved colour-coded nylon cutting boards
• Cooler boxes
• Trolleys (tea, castor and ladder trolley)
• Electronic kitchen scale
• Towbar for the Avanza
• Stainless steel table +- 3m L x 750 W
• Non-perishable items such as maize meal, pasta, rice, samp, tinned food, sweets, cold drinks, chips, noodles, packets of soup, cereal, milk, and anything with a reasonable shelf life.

“The little extra things we hand out always put a smile on people’s faces,” Lawrence said.

Currently, they cater for families in Rynfield, Northmead, Benoni CBD, Farrarmere, Brentwood Park, Atlasville areas bordering Great North Road and Mercury Street as well as some areas in Crystal Park.

Volunteers who are needed include:

Helpers from 4pm on Thursdays to lift and carry supplies, as well as drivers and hoppers.

“The deliveries are mostly done by volunteers, who comprise a driver and a hopper, the hopper being the volunteer who actually hands the food to the beneficiaries,” Lawrence explained.

“Then we have soup kitchens where we serve groups of people twice a week.”

The Rotary Club of Benoni Van Ryn steps in annually to give the MOW staff a break during the festive season.

Brian Ancient, Rotarian in the club, said: “We help for about three weeks where we raise funds and then deliver the food to the households. There are other organisations like the Rotary Ann’s and Benoni Lakes Lions Club that also help at times.”

Those who qualify for meals must pass the assessment screening procedure.

To be a sponsor or beneficiary you can contact MOW, which is situated at 124 President Steyn Road, on 011 849 1811, 060 609 2071 or at benoni@mealsonwheelsna.org.za

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