Grocery hampers offer a lifeline to Umbilo residents

MUCH-needed groceries were delivered to residents at Umbilo flat, Lantern Heath last week when Durban Meals on Wheels heeded a call for help. Residents already hard hit by the Covid-19 lockdown were met with further difficulty after the KZN unrest and looting which saw many lose their jobs.

Resident, Pam Mathys said she reached out to Meals on Wheels when her neighbours came knocking on her door asking for groceries.

“I want to thank Meals on Wheels for coming out when I explained the situation to them – that people at Lantern Heath were hungry. Some residents have lost their jobs. We really want to thank them for supporting us. People were coming to my door asking me to organise help,” she said.

Another resident, Petronella Heath, said “We really needed that. It’s been very hard (with the recent looting), a lot of people don’t have jobs.”

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Many residents are struggling financially during the lockdown period, added Angelique Stephen, who also lives at Lantern Heath.

“Meals on Wheels has given us groceries, including vegetables, which the residents of Lantern Heath really need. Some of them have lost their jobs or suffered pay cuts. There are also pensioners who are really struggling in this lockdown time,” said Stephen.

Sharon Moodley, manager of Durban Meals on Wheels said they distributed 500 food hampers across the Umbilo community including Lantern Heath and Kenneth Gardens.

“Meals on Wheels community services, in partnership with the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa were most obliged in assisting the community by distributing 500 food hampers to families in desperate need,” she said.

This initiative was coordinated by Moodley together with The Seventh Day Adventist Church.

“Our kitchen provides hot meals five days a week at our premises. We have also identified poverty-stricken communities, like Seaview, Bonela and Mayville where meals are distributed daily,” she said.

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Recovering from the recent unrest

Moodley said the food parcels were delivered in response to the recent looting and unrest that continues to affect many impoverished families.

“During the recent unrest and looting, many were left without jobs. Community members found it a challenge to provide for their families. Once again Meals on Wheels assisted many with food. We are glad to see our work doesn’t go unnoticed as many were overwhelmed, especially the children at Lantern Heath,” she said.

“We are happy we could bring joy to many families during these difficult times we are living in,” said Moodley.

She added that the food parcels were substantial enough to feed a family for a month.

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