Food hub brings hunger relief

The Urban and Humanity Food Project, with the support of Fluid and Water Technologies SA, inaugurated its new food hub on September 1 at Urban Ruins, a Boksburg NPO.

This food hub will give hope to various NPOs and churches in Boksburg and Benoni by supplying essential non-perishable foods for their feeding programmes.

Located at Urban Ruins, the food hub will collaborate with Urban Ruins and The Humanity Foundation to give vital help to organisations operating shelters, ECD centres and GBV shelters, all dedicated to feeding vulnerable community members.

This hub will serve as a critical lifeline for many, ensuring no one faces hunger.

Clayton Viljoen, the founder of Urban Ruins and one of the key figures behind the food hub, expressed gratitude and excitement for the initiative.

“I love what I do, and I feel incredibly honoured that our work was recognised.

“This food hub is the beginning of something beautiful – a place where organisations in need can collect essential supplies to sustain their feeding schemes.

“I hope this hub becomes a space where love, support and lasting memories are created,” Viljoen said.

He emphasised the hub’s mission: to create a reliable, welcoming space where NPOs, shelters and churches can access food supplies.

“We envision this becoming a hub for food distribution, creating connections, sharing love and building a strong network of support for the most vulnerable members of our community,” he added.

Relationship

The hub’s origins trace back to an inspiring partnership between Pierre Marneweck, the founder of the Humanity Foundation, and Fluid and Water Technologies SA.

Also Read: Urban Ruins Projects NPO and The Humanity Foundation celebrate women

Marneweck recounted how a chance meeting at a food drive led to this collaboration.

“We met one of the representatives from Fluid and Water Technologies SA at a food drive in June, and he was touched by the work we do.

“He said he is eager to support a meaningful cause. That’s how this relationship started,” Marneweck explained.

“Through this partnership, Urban Ruins was selected as the ideal location for the food hub, thanks to their ongoing community efforts.

“Clayton and his team have worked tirelessly to help those in need, and it felt right to build on that relationship.

Now, through this hub, we hope to make an even bigger difference together,” Marneweck said.

He said organisations that wish to receive food from the hub must meet specific criteria, including being registered and submitting a formal thank-you letter on a letterhead when collecting supplies.

“This ensures the food is distributed to legitimate organisations with active feeding programmes.

“We want to make sure the food reaches the people who need it most. That’s why we’ve put in place a few processes to ensure only genuine organisations benefit from this initiative,” added Marneweck.

Impact

Peter Watkins, the national sales manager at Fluid and Water Technologies SA, also shared a personal reason for supporting the Urban and Humanity Food Project.

“Twenty-two years ago, I was involved in a severe accident and ended up in the hospital.

“During that time, I promised myself that if I got better, I would dedicate my life to uplifting others.

“Since then, my wife and I have been involved in charity work, helping those in need. Meeting Pierre at that food drive brought everything full circle for me.

“Supporting Urban Ruins and the Humanity Foundation felt like the perfect way to make a meaningful impact,” Watkins explained.

Watkins expressed his belief in the power of community and the need to give back.

“It’s unfair to have food on our tables while others are starving. We must do what we can to help those in need.

“That’s why Fluid and Water Technologies is committed to supplying food to this hub and, through it, supporting NPOs and churches that provide vital services in their communities,” he added.

The food hub will operate on specific days, with organisations able to collect supplies in Witfield on certain Saturday mornings or in Plantation on weekdays.

Organisations can apply to be part of the food supply chain by calling Viljoen on 081 747 0835 or Marneweck on 082 610 7593.

Upon meeting the requirements, selected and approved beneficiaries will be added to the scheme.

Viljoen and Marneweck hope the hub will meet the community’s immediate needs and grow into a space of collaboration and mutual support.

“This is just the first step,” they said.
If you want to support Urban Ruins in any way, go to their Facebook page (Urban Ruins Projects).

Also Read: Astroturf brings fresh energy to Urban Ruins Project’s ECD Centre