Desperation makes grown and proud men cry

“Myself and Yvonne updated ours again late last night as they are coming in fast and furious,” said Sarah Wissler, ward 23 councillor.

“In some wards there are 100’s, in others less, but it is growing all the time.

“The reality is that the food allocations are not getting out there fast enough. Approximately 20 per cent of those in need are getting right now.

“I have had people so embarrassed to ask for help, for they are proud people. I have had grown men breakdown and cry in sheer desperation because they can’t feed their families, even apologising to me for even asking for help. It’s breaking my heart,” she said.

On April 16 they started with the South – a small start but a start none the less.

Sarah said: “The food parcels at Pick n Pay that are ready thanks to the wonderful residents of Ward 23 will be distributed in my ward by myself, Ward 54 by councillor Stuart Marais and Ward 56 councillor Micheal Chrichton.

“All names, addresses and circumstances are logged on a spreadsheet and sent to Social Development.

“We keep a log and a copy goes to them so that we can get veggies delivered by them, to us, to distribute. Last lot of veggies were delivered to my home to be deliver to those in need.

“Social development only work through ward councillors in their communities as we know our communities and what’s happening on the ground. Our people reach out to us in times of need.

“These veggies will only be an added to the food hampers we have already made up with extra items not supplied by them such as basic hygiene and protein.

“All extra items we receive from donors are logged and signed for with letters of appreciation having gone to those donors already.

“The next big truck of supplies is arriving on Friday (April 17) and we will be off loading the truck, splitting up the food items and then taking it to our wards through out the city to allocate to those desperately in need.

“Our thanks go out to councillor Sun for generous sponsors for these extras, this is the third such truck.”

Wissler also pleads with residents to keep buying the hampers at Mulbarton Pick n Pay for R200.

“We are going to lose people to starvation rather the virus at this stage. Please also consider buying pet food as we also have many pets needing to be included, not forgetting the shelters.

“The majority of us have and want for nothing. Right now we have people who have lost their income and who are now are fearing they will be evicted from their homes because they cannot pay rent, let alone feed themselves.

“To my fellow colleagues, NGO’s and 100’s of volunteers working in all wards all over the city, your all doing remarkable work in getting food to the communities who need us, selflessly and fearlessly so. Don’t let anyone bring you down.

“To all working night and day, either in soup kitchens, food distribution and animal rescue centres, your are all heroes. Let’s continue this fight to feed our people and who need us,” Wissler said.