Eradicating hunger one meal at a time

This, as food relief network, Food For Life Midrand continued with its mission to eradicate hunger in Midrand.

Nutritious meals comprising lentils, basmati rice, fresh green beans, cabbage, carrots, potatoes and frozen peas were served to children at the Tumelo Home for the Mental Handicapped and Thuthukani Centre, both based in Ivory Park, as well as the New Jerusalem Children’s Home.

While serving ‘soulful’ meals remains at the heart of this initiative, it is also the food sponsors and volunteers’ engagement and interaction with the children that makes this programme more special, explained Vinesh Maharaj, spokesperson for Food For Life Midrand.

He said the branch had grown in the past two years and many residents throughout Gauteng had contributed to the feeding scheme. “The generosity of these residents who open their hearts so freely to this initiative is validated by the smiles and cheerfulness of the children we serve. This is priceless,” he said.

Anna Majapelo, founder of the New Jerusalem Children’s Home, said the children were elated at the arrival of volunteers of the programme, who not only feed the children monthly, but “bring joy and laughter” to the children.

A first time attendee at Food For Life for the month of March, Rebecca Baloyi, wife of former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Brian Baloyi who was also in attendance, said she was humbled by the experience.

Another first-time volunteer, Johan Maartens described the experience as a privilege, particularly in exposing his grandchildren to the world of the less fortunate.

He said, “It was inspiring to see the willingness of the people who worked so hard to prepare the food so that we could participate in serving it to the children. It reminded me of the meaning of the quote, ‘In as far as you did it to the least, you did it for me.’ I will definitely be back.”

Details: Vinesh Maharaj, 083792 6518 or midrand@fflsa.org