One Friday at a time, Bethlehem Huis van Brood feeds thousands

Bethlehem Huis van Brood feeds about 2 900 people every Friday, but the Van Dyk Park NPO says dwindling food supplies are making it harder to keep up with the growing need across Ekurhuleni.

15 minutes ago

Zamantolo Fakude 2 minutes read

Rosly Dube, Thando Dhlamini, Cecilah Moja and Elizabeth Mthembu were among the many residents who come to Van Dyk Park from across Ekurhuleni to receive food parcels from Bethlehem Huis van Brood in Van Dyk Park on Fridays.

For thousands of families, Friday is food day, thanks to a local non-profit organisation (NPO) that fulfils this need in Van Dyk Park.

Since opening its doors in 2018, Bethlehem Huis van Brood has become a lifeline for people from communities stretching from Vosloorus and Villa Liza to Windmill Park, Delmore, Delmas and Daveyton.

Every Friday, about 2 900 people rely on the NPO for food to take home to their families.

However, keeping the shelves stocked is becoming a challenge.

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Hettie van Zyl, one of the directors, said the organisation is very grateful for the donations received regularly from Woolworths Bonaero Park, Freshline in Cloverdene and Pick n Pay Towers, but these businesses do not always have enough surplus available.

“We are appealing for other businesses and individuals to assist us with non-perishables, fruit and vegetables,” said Van Zyl.

For people such as Ephiram Mannana, the weekly food collection has become an important part of getting through the month.

“This organisation really helps us,” said Mannana. “We come every Friday at around 17:15, and they make sure we can go home with food to feed our families.”

A man wearing a blue cap and a yellow tshirt, holding a cabbage. — Ephiram Mannana is one of the residents that benefit from the Bethlehem Huis van Brood food parcel distribution on Fridays. Photo: Zamantolo Fakude.

The NPO is also looking beyond the weekly food parcels as it prepares for its annual children’s Christmas party on December 5.

Van Zyl is calling on residents to donate second-hand toys still in good condition.

Last year, the organisation managed to provide food and toys to 850 children. This year, it expects about 1 000 children to attend.

With that number expected to grow, Van Zyl is appealing to businesses and residents to help with both food and toys.

To find out more, to donate food items, to pop in and see their work or to volunteer with the food parcel days, contact Ansa Mostert on 081 886 8695 (after 17:00 on weekdays) or Van Zyl on 067 780 8279.