Kempton Park church brings hope through community outreach
Kempton Park Anglican Parish – St Edmunds Parish & St Francis Chapel in the Woods makes a difference in the community through their community outreaches.
Community outreach has been at the heart of the Kempton Park Anglican Parish – St Edmund’s Parish and St Francis Chapel in the Woods since it was established in 1958.
Inspired by Christ’s call to love and serve others, the parish’s outreach ministry has evolved over the years to meet the changing needs of the community, expanding from feeding schemes to food parcels and support for vulnerable children, families and unemployed residents.
Today, the church distributes food parcels, supports Tawana Children’s Home and Mandeville Special School, assists families in the Kaalfontein informal settlement with food, clothing and blankets, participates in the Santa Shoebox Project and donates baby essentials to Life Link Jeremiah Baby in a Wall.
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The ministry serves vulnerable families, children, learners with special needs, expectant mothers, newborn babies, unemployed residents and others facing hardship.
Chapel warden at St Francis Chapel in the Woods, Jean Botha, said the parish adapted its outreach following the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Before Covid-19, St Edmund’s operated a feeding scheme through the Women’s Leadership Group, while St Francis ran the Nobel Feeding Scheme and delivered weekly meals to a school in Modderfontein.
“When those programmes could no longer continue because of restrictions, we shifted our focus to food parcels, children’s homes, outreach in the Kaalfontein informal settlement, the Santa Shoebox Project and Jeremiah Baby in a Wall,” said Botha.
She said poverty, unemployment and food insecurity remain among the greatest challenges facing many families, along with the need for warm clothing, blankets and support for vulnerable children and babies.
One of the parish’s most meaningful recent projects involved supporting Life Link Jeremiah Baby in a Wall.
“Congregation members knitted baby garments and donated clothing, bottles and other essentials. During the handover, the founder introduced us to a newborn baby who had recently been safely surrendered. It was a powerful reminder of how compassion and generosity can transform lives,” said Botha.
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She added that the gratitude shown by families receiving food parcels and other essential assistance continues to inspire the congregation.
Members support the outreach by donating food, blankets, clothing, toiletries, baby items, knitting wool and financial contributions. They also volunteer their time by knitting garments, collecting donations, packing food parcels and assisting with distributions throughout the year.
While growing community needs and limited resources remain ongoing challenges, the parish continues its work through the generosity of congregation members, careful stewardship and faith.
The church also encourages local businesses to share employment opportunities, enabling the parish to connect job seekers with potential employers.
The ministry works closely with Tawana Children’s Home, Mandeville Special School, the Kaalfontein informal settlement and Life Link Jeremiah Baby in a Wall, while welcoming partnerships with businesses and organisations that share its commitment to serving the community.
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Recent outreach projects have included distributing food parcels, supporting families in Kaalfontein, donating knitted baby clothing and other essentials to Life Link Jeremiah Baby in a Wall, and hosting a back-to-school party where children received school shoes, stationery, lunch boxes and treats.
“Serving the community has been at the heart of our ministry since the parish was established in 1958,” said Botha.
“Our outreach has changed over the years, but our commitment to caring for those in need has remained steadfast. Children hold a special place in my heart.
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me.’ That reminds us that loving and serving them is not optional, it is what we are called to do as God’s family. Together, we can bring hope, dignity and God’s love to those who need it most.”
The parish welcomes support from individuals, businesses and organisations. Donations of non-perishable food, blankets, clothing, toiletries, baby items, knitting wool, clean glass bottles for recycling and financial contributions are all appreciated.
Community members can also volunteer to collect, knit, pack or distribute donations, or partner with the parish through their business or organisation.
If donors are unable to deliver items or recyclable glass bottles, the church will arrange collection.
For donations, volunteering opportunities or enquiries, contact St Edmund’s Parish on 072 414 5788 or 011 975 5359.
