AFM Sunnyside located on the corner of Kotze and Troye Street, is asking residents to assist with its feeding scheme, which feeds 200-300 people every Friday.
The church has been running the scheme for the past three years to help out the local homeless people in the area and is calling on residents to assist in the fight by donating funds, food or volunteering their time.
“Their biggest issue is they don’t have somewhere to stay. We’ve at times tried to help out where we can, organise a shelter but they can end up not being happy there and prefer being on the streets, it’s not simple, it’s a difficult situation,” said AFM Sunnyside presiding pastor, Dr Thomas Swift.
The beneficiaries collect the food at the container that the church has on its premises, although there are teams to go to different spots in the area known amongst the homeless.
AFM receives help from a local market that donates vegetables every Friday, though the brunt of the scheme is on the church.
“Our responsibility is not to judge them but help. We are really trying to make a difference in the community. We’re challenged by a quote that asks ‘if the doors of your church close down, would the community even notice’ and we take up that challenge. We want the community to know we are there and trying to make a difference and we’ll continue with the scheme. We have a pastor who works closely with the council, always in contact with them whenever we have water or electricity issues and we’ll always help where we can,” Swift added.
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Swift also extended his gratitude to Sunnyside PR councillor, Hentie Nortjé, who completed his 24th consecutive Midmar Mile and donated over R10 000 in pro
ceedings earned to the church. Nortjé also attended the most recent feeding scheme the church held last week.
“I felt touched by the work the church is doing because going hungry is the most degrading thing that can happen to any human being out there,” Nortjé said.
Nortjé, who is blind, believes residents have a responsibility to help in whatever way they can, regardless of their predicament.
“I believe that whether you are disabled or not, we all have a responsibility to help our community. In my ward, I have the responsibility to help out the people there. Anyone of us can become homeless and fall down that spiral. No one is better than anyone, we must look after everyone, everywhere that we can, even if you are disabled,” Nortjé said.
For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/afmsunnysidechurch
Residents interested in donating to the Back-A-Buddy for the church, which is still open, can visit: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/blind-da-pr-councillor-swims-24th-midmar
“With all the difficulties and the struggles that are going on, economically and every way else, there’s still hope. The Lord said the love we have for him we must show to others so whatever we can do to make it easier, make life a bit more bearable, we should. We want to be a church that cares, that reaches out and brings change,” concluded Swift.
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