Bedfordview Methodist Church, in the spirit of giving, continues with the Bedfordview community outreach feeding scheme, blanket drive and Poor Fund throughout the pandemic.
The NEWS reported on April 18 the Bedfordview community has sprung to action after the Bedfordview Safety Forum (BSF), St John Ambulance and Bedfordview CPF began a food and essential items drive for those in dire need during lockdown.
“We are working with BCPF, BSF, Bedfordview Methodist Church, ward councillors and a superb cohort of Bedfordview residents who have been assisting,” said St Johns CEO George Woods.
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At the end of March, Rev Zole Mlombi from Bedfordview Methodist Church announced the church would be doing sermons online, leaving the premises empty.
“Due to the church going online, we were approached by St Johns to collaborate with the church and Bedfordview stakeholders,” said Mlombi.
He added they decided to utilise the church as a food bank to the feeding scheme, where the community and surrounding areas can donate food or money accordingly.
Mhlombi included essential parcels are distributed to informal settlements in Germiston, among others.
“We have also used Malvern Methodist Church and Primrose Methodist Church as a distribution points upon request.
“Those in need of a parcel are urged to go to their closest church or community stakeholder and request a parcel and the church will send accordingly, as per Mlombi.
Concerning walk-ins at the church, he said SAPS has stopped it due to the pandemic.
“Each day we would have around 250 people queuing outside in need of food and it became a health hazard; therefore, nobody is allowed to come directly to the church any longer,” he said.
Mlombi said the church has also connected with a number of other churches in Johannesburg that have come on board with the request system.
According to Mlombi, donations have slowed down due to many being affected financially over time.
“We still need many food items, personal hygiene products, baby products, cleaning materials and pet food,” he said.
The church is still running monetary donations via banking details, as Mlombi said many do not feel safe dropping items off at the church.
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Beggars in Bedfordview have benefited the most from the scheme, as Mlombi said many parcels have been given to them.
He added this is also due to the church’s soup kitchen not operating at the moment, and will only be operational during level two of the lockdown.
“It’s difficult for us, as there are families we have been feeding for years through the soup kitchen and we cannot feed them right now,” said Mlombi.
For now, he said the church supports a soup kitchen in Malvern.
The church also continued with their blanket drive, which runs every winter.
“We have gotten 450 blankets and have gone around areas where people need it the most.
“We have also distributed to Thembisa Methodist Church for those in need,” said Mlombi.
He added if community members would like to support the drive, without leaving their homes, they can visit the church’s website for bank account details and reference the donation as “blanket drive”.
Mlombi included the church has also continued throughout lockdown with the Poor Fund, which is a collection after each sermon for families in the congregation who are in need of financial assistance.
Mlombi said this money goes a long way, as some families are large and parcels are almost never enough.
“We are a very fortunate church, as many members are still donating without coming to church; I give them all thanks for still being faithful in giving,” he said.
Mlombi hopes the online sermons and bible studies continue to encourage them.
He also would like to remind his congregation they can contact him at any time if they are in need and if they need him for a funeral.
“To the Bedfordview community, I want to remind you this pandemic is not a punishment from God, he has not forsaken us and we will find healing and this will come to an end,” said Mlombi.
To those who have lost their loved ones, he said they are all in his prayers.
To donate or for any information on the Bedfordview Methodist Church outreach programmes visit www.bedfordviewmc.co.za
