VEREENIGING – The St James Development Organisation’s Family Shopping Day touched the hearts of the congregation and the community at large, restoring love, dignity and hope.

This year’s strong message – the greatest gift is not what you place in someone’s hands, but what you restore in their heart set the tone for the third instalment of the event, bringing together more than 300 beneficiaries and community members from in and around its facilities for a day that celebrated humanity, compassion and belonging.

Families were gifted vegetables, groceries, fleece blankets, books, and linen. Furthermore, they were given essentials that will ease daily burdens for many households.

The event is a powerful reminder that no person should ever feel forgotten. Opening the programme, Founder Bishop Sehanke Mokoena reflected on the vision he had when he formed the Family Shopping Day initiative.

“Love is not merely something we speak about; it is something we demonstrate. Every blanket shared, every loaf of bread, every grocery parcel, and every helping hand is a declaration that every person matters. Love sees people before it sees their needs. It restores dignity before it provides relief, and it gives hope where life has tried to take it away. This initiative exists because we believe no member of our community should ever feel invisible or abandoned.”

The day was rooted in compassion and care. Archbishop Tumelo Mokoena reminded guests that every meaningful movement begins with a single act of faith and love.

“This initiative began as a small seed planted in love, and today we are witnessing how that seed has grown beyond what many imagined. Love has sustained this journey, and it will continue to carry it forward.”

He implored communities to keep praying for the initiative so that it may reach even more families in the years ahead. Board Chairperson Lorna Skhosana challenged those gathered to think beyond the shopping bags they would carry home.

Introducing the powerful image of “The Third Basket,” she reminded the audience that while families would leave with food, blankets, and clothing, the most valuable gift could never be placed inside a shopping bag.

“Long after the groceries have been used and the blankets have warmed families through winter, may every person remember this: you are seen, valued, and you belong. The greatest gift anyone receives today is the certainty that they are loved, their dignity remains intact, and hope is still alive.”

The day demonstrated that community transformation begins when people choose to walk alongside those struggling.