GALLERY: Springs and Brakpan seniors honoured at Meals on Wheels year-end event
The Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted elderly and vulnerable residents for a warm meal as the organisation reflected on a challenging year of rising food costs.
The beneficiaries of the Meals on Wheels were hosted for a year-end meal at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Petersfield Extension on November 27. The organisation delivers meals weekly to elderly and vulnerable people.
Their day started with the church service led by pastor Nico Theunissen. He said the day aimed to bring beneficiaries together to enjoy a meal.
He also said that most elderly people live at home and are not visited by families, so the day is also aimed at making them feel special. He added that the organisation prepares 3 500 meals per month, which are given to beneficiaries in Springs and Brakpan.
With many people served, Theunissen shared that finances were one of the biggest challenges this year, as the organisation relies on donations.
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“It has been difficult because the food prices have spiked, and the salaries are not keeping pace. We are not getting as many sponsors as before, so now we are looking at new avenues for sponsorships,” said the pastor.
He also said that they are looking at getting big companies to lend a helping hand to the organisation. He appealed to the community to also help the organisation, whether through donation of time or resources.
Theunissen expressed that with all the cooking done, more volunteers are needed in the kitchen, as they have two cooks.
“With some of our volunteers going on holidays, we would appreciate people who have time to come and spend time with us,” he said.
Nettie Henning (58) from Brakpan is one of the Meals on Wheels beneficiaries. She told the publication that the meals that she receives for her and her husband have helped her save money for essential matters.
She said that with the high cost of food, she can break it down, which allows her to have enough food for the week.
“The food we receive is well prepared, and we get quality food as well, so I can’t complain,” said Henning.
Henning, who has been receiving the food for two years, said that she is also excited to see the organisation’s team when they deliver because they spend a bit of time finding out about their lives.
She also expressed gratitude to the organisation for always providing a meal for them and said that they should also carry on doing this for everyone who is in need.
