Feeding scheme for the needy in North
“When we get together like this we act as one and by acting as one we fix South Africa."
An ActionSA scheme feeds more than 160 people every Saturday to make a difference in their lives and reach out to the people in need.
Marcia Barron, the PR councillor for ActionSA, said the feeding scheme was in its 10th week and was hosted in Pretoria North, Wolmer because “the community is unfortunate”.
“We’ve seen the deterioration of the area within the last few years. There are abandoned houses that have become drug dens and this has contributed to poverty worsening,” she said.
“One of our ActionSA members, who is also a resident in the area, felt great compassion towards the people that he sees every day when he goes to and from work.
“He decided to put a team of volunteers together and do it once a week, every Saturday.”
Barron said a majority residents including those of an old age home came through to get food.
“We have a twofold approach, from 08:00, a group of volunteers and some ActionSA councillors prepare these hot meals.
“From 12:00 we distribute the food, every meal is freshly prepared on the day of distribution.”
Barron said the poverty in the area is caused by unemployment “drug addiction, high cost of living and lack of government support”.
She said a multi-disciplinary approach to deal with the influx of drugs into the community would eradicate poverty.
“Government should also create a stable and safe environment for investors and jobs,” she said.
“Every person in the community should take action to deal with poverty. And there should be an elimination of gender inequality.”
Community members told Rekord that they were happy someone brought them food and hope.
“The food that we get every Saturday is really helping a lot and I really think it’s a good project they are running.
“Now we can feed our children and they are happy,” a community member said.
ActionSA member Tshepo Mothwa said he was impressed by the people who ran the feeding scheme.
“I then became one of them. I thought I would do what they do to help others, especially people like us who are in a situation like this (disabled). We are being neglected by the recent government.”
MMC of Economic Development and Spatial Planning, André le Roux said they also assisted disabled people.
“We assist people and work together with them, give them hope so we are here to support the feeding scheme.
“When we get together like this we act as one and by acting as one we fix South Africa.”
Le Roux said the small gestures have a huge impact in the community.
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