Covid-19: help hungry children plunged into poverty

The centre has since April been experiencing a surging demand for food by hungry children whose families are in poverty mostly due to the effects of the pandemic

The hard work by the team of volunteers at the Reiger Park Crisis Centre’s community vegetable garden does not go unnoticed. Checkers is featuring the centre’s vegetable garden team on its truck fleet, putting the team and the community at large on the map as the trucks criss-crosses the South African towns and countryside.

With thousands of families plunged into poverty due to Covid-19, the Community Crisis Centre in Reiger Park is appealing for your support to continue feeding the hungry and render other outreach to the needy.

The Community Crisis Centre caters for hundreds of orphaned and vulnerable children from poor families – with others negatively impacted by HIV/Aids. It also serves as an aftercare centre, training the youth in manual skills, such as knitting, sewing and gardening.
To lend a helping hand, visit the centre at 381 Goedehoop Street, Reiger Park, or call 072 127 9090.
Donations can be in the form of food, clothing and money or services in your area of expertise.
Rising demand
The centre manager, Elane Appies, said the centre has since April been experiencing a surging demand for food by hungry children whose families are in poverty mostly due to the effects of the pandemic.
“A large number of households are experiencing tremendous hardship as a direct result of the lockdown, and as a result more and more children are coming to our centre for food.
“We have also noted a decrease in the number of support from donors, which is completely understandable considering the virus is affecting everyone, including businesses.
“Collected data and the demand for basic food are clear indications that more people now live in poverty. But regardless of the uncertainty, our centre continues with its programmes aimed at alleviating the sufferings caused by Covid-19,” said Appies.
Thank you
The centre would also like to thank community members who after learning about the plight of many suffering families decided to lend a helping hand.
“We really appreciate all the help you give to our disadvantaged community members and encourage more people to get on board.”
Relief programmes
After the country declared its hard lockdown last year, government and businesses introduced coronavirus economic stimulus package to prevent families from going into poverty.
Food banks were also set up in many parts of the country to feed the hungry, but these various Covid-19 relief programmes have substantially diminished, leaving many poor families hungry.