Northfield opens its pantry doors

In recent months, the team of the Northfield Methodist Church (NFMC) have been wrestling with the question of how to make a lasting contribution to the lives of the city’s poor and vulnerable.

With ideas swirling around the concept of offering dignified assistance in the form of a grocery pantry came to life when on August 26, God’s Pantry was launched.

The initiative will allow congregants, other faith-based organisations and members of the public to purchase vouchers from the church, which can then be gifted to those in need.

“Throughout our community, there are families and households that continually facing a lack of food, clothing and other daily essentials,” said a deacon, Quinton de Beer.

“We see these individuals at intersections, they are our neighbours and those hard-working individuals who cannot make ends meet.”

God’s Pantry now offers those who may have been blessed with a voucher, the opportunity to not receive a helping hand in the form of a food parcel but rather the dignity to browse through the pantry. There is a variety of food, clothing and other items on offer, in a ‘store-like’ environment.”

Beneficiaries can now ‘shop’ at their convenience.

“The voucher specifies how many tokens are available to use,” said René Labuschagne, pantry manager and missions assistant.

“One token may entitle the shopper to ‘purchase’ five packets of pasta while two tokens may afford them two cans of tinned food of their choice.

“We want voucher recipients to be able to choose what they want or need, whether it is essentials, clothes, pet food or nice-to-haves that they would not usually be able to afford.”

With dignity at the forefront of the initiative, it is hoped that the community would rather opt to purchase vouchers to bless those in need, instead of handing over cash.

All funds raised through the sale of vouchers will be used to ensure that the pantry remains fully stocked with a variety of items.

Donated goods such as clothes and non-perishable foods are welcome.

God’s Pantry can be found at NFMC, corner Aerodome Drive and Webb Street, Airfield and will be open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:30 to 11:30.

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