After more than two decades of feeding vulnerable families in Springs, the Jesus Outreach feeding scheme at Jesus is Light Church in Eastvale, Springs, is set to close, marking the end of a long chapter of community service led by San van Wyk.

Van Wyk, who has lived in Springs since 1969 and has spent 24 years working in community outreach projects across Springs and surrounding areas, reflected with the Springs Advertiser on a journey that began with a simple mandate and grew into a lifeline for dozens of families.

The feeding scheme was founded 21 years ago by Pastor Ben Loubser of Jesus is Light Church, who asked her to take on the responsibility of running the programme on behalf of the church.

“We started in two small Sunday school classrooms and seven bags of old clothing. At first, we helped about four families. God blessed us with food donations and we had to expand,” she said.

She explained that, with growing support from local businesses and donors, the initiative eventually evolved into a structured operation with a dedicated storage facility. At its peak, the programme supported approximately 55 families every month.

Van Wyk said the expansion of the scheme came at no cost to the church, thanks to consistent sponsorship from businesses in Geduld and across Springs.

Over the years, she said one of the highlights of the journey was the completion of the storage facility, which enabled the programme to scale its operations.

She also noted receiving the Paul Harris Fellow Award from Rotary International Springs in 2009 and being named Woman of the Month in August 2024.

For her, the impact of the feeding scheme was not only measured in food parcels but also in dignity and stability for families in need.

“The community knew there was a church which could help them in need,” she said.

Even during the Covid-19 restrictions, Van Wyk said the team never stopped operating, although distribution methods had to change.

ALSO CHECK: VIDEO: Springs farmer questions emergency response after fire destroys grazing land

“We got the parcels ready and phoned people to come at different times to fetch the food. We put the parcels outside the security door, out of sight of anybody. We never stopped giving food out right through Covid restrictions,” she explained.

Van Wyk said the decision to step down and end the feeding scheme was deeply personal and not made lightly.

Now 77, she explained that the physical demands of the work, including lifting heavy food crates, offloading supplies, and daily driving on busy roads, had become increasingly difficult.

“It was very difficult to decide to give notice after all these years. But I explained my situation to the leadership and they fully accepted my resignation,” she said.

While she acknowledged that the closure may be difficult for families who relied on the programme, Van Wyk expressed hope that other organisations in Geduld and surrounding areas would help fill the gap.

She said leadership made efforts to explore alternatives, but the final decision rested on practical limitations and her personal circumstances.

Van Wyk paid tribute to the long list of donors, volunteers, and businesses who sustained the initiative over the years, including one local supermarket that supported the scheme for 24 years.

“Thanks is not a word to explain our gratitude for all their support. Our sponsors are people with a heart for needy people. Many thanks for your loyal support all these years,” she said.

Although she will be stepping back from the feeding scheme, Van Wyk said she does not believe the work of community upliftment should end here.

“I cannot say what the new leadership will decide, but I don’t think it will be in the near future,” she said when asked about future plans.

Reflecting on her decades of service, she left a message of encouragement for those continuing the community work in Springs.

“Do not give up. You are on the brink of a miracle. We experienced lots of miracles over these past years.”

ALSO CHECK: East Rand Woodworkers’ Association celebrates 23 years of craftsmanship and creativity