Help support society’s outreach projects

AS part of its motto to serve those in need, the Society of St Vincent De Paul at the St Dominics Catholic Church runs various outreach projects that impact hundreds of people in the Valley of 1000 Hills.

The major projects it undertakes each month are the distribution of 140 food parcels that are valued at about R35 000. The food parcels include non-perishable goods such as tinned foods, pastas, tea, salt, maize meal and sugar.

The group offers financial assistance to the 1000 Hills Community Service Centre and the Lwethu/Afrisun Clinic at the Dennis Hurley Centre in Durban of up to R20 000 a month. “Part of the funding we provide is used to buy CD4 cartridges for HIV/AIDS testing and the balance is donated to assist with food and other necessities,” said Helen Bellew, president of the society.

Another one of its major projects is the set up of vegetable gardens at the Bethlehem Parish and should this project prove to be a success it will extend into Embo and, if possible, other areas. “It is our prayer that this project will spread and will feed hundreds of people,” said Helen.

The society has a host of other smaller projects and although it receives generous support from parish members and donors, its income is limited. “We currently run at a monthly deficit of R45 0000 and we desperately need to find sources of income to continue to support our projects. Unless that happens, we estimate that we will be able to continue between three and four years before we have to pull the plug on many of our endeavours. This will be a serious blow for the more than 2 000 people who benefit from our support,” said Helen.

To make a donation:

Account name: Society of St. Vincent De Paul

Account number: 052032272

Bank: Standard Bank

Code:045726

Swift code: SBZAZAJJ