Inter-faith partnership feeds the homeless

MANY homeless people are now out on the streets during the day and looking for a hot lunch, and the Denis Hurley Centre (DHC) is appealing for assistance so this can be provided.

Raymond Perrier from DHC said most churches that usually run ‘soup kitchens’ are still closed, so DHC has tried to co-ordinate supply and demand across the city centre.

“And, with God’s Grace, it seems to be working – close to 5,000 meals are provided a week! This is vital, especially if the people are on medication,” he said.

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DHC is being donated or subsidised ingredients from multiple sources such as SANZAF (the Muslim aid organisation), corporates such as Arjo, Geze, Boxer, Spar and RCL’s Do More Foundation, community groups as diverse as Maris Stella and Holy Family College, The Sharks and SA Rugby Legends, foundations like Community Chest, SA AIDS, Domino Foundation and Malusi Duma, as well as generous individuals.

He said three regular groups prepare the food – Glenridge Community Church, the Hindu Maha Sabha and the DHC kitchen itself, plus on two occasions in July, the Hare Krishna group Food for Life delivered huge pots of their famously tasty vegan breyani.

The food is then packed up at the DHC into 500 containers which are handed out at DHC and at Dalton Beer Hall, where DHC runs its satellite clinic, and two churches in South Beach – Power Dimension and St Peter’s Catholic Church.

In addition, on most days DHC can also give people a brown bag to enjoy later, containing cakes (sourced by Good Luck Foods) or freshly-made sandwiches (currently coming from the Methodists in Durban North and Musgrave, the Anglicans at St Thomas Musgrave, and the Catholics at Blessed Liberat.

ALSO READ: Durban’s homeless people’s lives improve during pandemic

“The combination of faith-based organisations and generous individuals is really making a difference! At the moment, we have enough volunteers, however we need donations of dry goods, meat and vegetables and could use a few more groups that can do 200+ sandwiches one day a week. We also need to fund R1,250 per day to make sure that we continue to use eco-friendly containers. And we could definitely make use of a new freezer!” said Perrier. If you can help in any way, contact raymond@denishurleycentre.org.  

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