Lend a hand to keep those in need warm this winter

Last year, the NPO Mould Empower Serve (MES)’s national Winter HOPE drive saw to the collection of more than 4 400 blankets, 2 000 beanies, and 7 000 shopping bags filled with clothing and non-perishable food for those less fortunate.

This year promises to be no exception, and Kemptonparkers don’t need to travel too far to do their bit for the local MES.

Checkers and Intercare at the Cavendish Glen Shopping Centre on Monument Road will be a drop-off point for donations on June 1, between 9.30am and 3pm. A trophy for the school with the most donations will be up for grabs.

“Working together with key role-players allows us a much greater reach to serve [people] within destitute urban communities,” said Rev Hannes Windell, chairperson of the MES board.

“On behalf of all participating organisations, I would like to encourage you to help strengthen our hands this winter by getting involved in upliftment where it is needed,” Windell added. “Together, we can make hope a reality.”

According to Aloma Swanepoel, fund-raising and marketing manager at MES, the blankets received will be donated during street outreaches, to shelter and food parcel clients and, if possible, to after-school children and canteen clients.

“In general, we actively fight the culture of “hand-outs” and work closely with our clients to help them to pay for the needs they have. By doing this we place back some self-worth in their lives,” Swanepoel said.

“However, there are always exceptions in times of crisis, then the auxiliary worker will assist with one or two free items where possible. We try to follow a rule of one set of clothing per client per month.”For more information about the specific needs of the campaign and the various drop-off points, please visit, Facebook (@winterhoop); Instagram (give_hope_in_winter), or contact Swanepoel at winterhoop@mes.org.za or on 011 725 0001.