Mindfully chopping, stirring and seasoning pots of flavourful dishes, 13 volunteers of East Rand Food For Life Africa (FFLA) prepare thousands of traditional vegetarian dishes for the needy each week.
Nearly 150 residents of Actonville and surrounding areas gather outside the Benoni Tamil School Board (BTSB) premises in Khan Crescent every Monday, eagerly waiting to receive the day’s bounty.
FFLA was founded in 1974 by Srila Prabhupada of Culcatta after he watched in horror as children and dogs fought over scraps of food in a remote village in India.
Speaking to his students, he declared no one within a 16km radius of their International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) centres will go hungry.
Heeding this call, followers created a global network of free food kitchens, cafes, vans and mobile delivery services in many cities around the world.
In April 2022, BTSB opened its branch and on December 18 prepared 2 880 meals.
Available to all members of the community regardless of their religious orientation, the FFLA believes one cannot simply provide a person with a single meal and expect their hunger to be sated for an entire week.
“Through the generous donations of local businesses and community members, we prepare an average of 1 500 meals weekly,” said chairperson Ronald Manilal.
“We pride ourselves in providing hearty portions and some to take home to other members of a family, be it frail older persons or children at school. Our mission is to fill hungry stomachs.”
Further expanding their reach, volunteers deliver weekly meals to the residents of Pauline Davis Court and Denys Conradie Residentia, both of which are home to the elderly, and Sai Ashram in Actonville.
FFLA member David Chetty said as a devotee of the temple for the past 21 years, it had become increasingly painful to witness hunger, desperation and poverty ravage his community.
“Through faith and conscious effort, the local branch has gone from strength to strength,” said Chetty.
“We are committed to carry and care for our community, whether it is through prayer or a meal, we stand united.”
As pigeons gather next to depictions of deities, which form part of the Shiva Temple, Chetty casts his eyes to the depiction that illustrates the natural balance between male and female, saying the statue not only serves as a reminder that we are all equals but speaks of an FFLA team who all work tirelessly to serve the needs of those less fortunate.
“We are bridging the gap between those who have and those that do not have by taking little and which later becomes a lot,” he said.
“Where leaders may fail their nations, organisations such as FFLA provide hope and foster generosity.”
As an NPO, the organisation relies solely on the donations of others.
Cash, food and donations of items such as clothes, toys and stationary are always welcome.
For more information or to assist email eastrand@fflafrica.org or log on to www.fflafrica.org
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