SECUNDA – The food cart is ready for delivery, they just need to raise enough money to buy it.
The ‘Secunda Gratis en Verniet’ welfare organisation is hoping to use this fully equipped cart to daily provide ready-made meals to needy families in the area.
Ms Ismarelda Kruger, who is driving this project, said such a cart is really a necessity because this will ensure that the children will at least have one cooked meal per day.
“There is not even electricity in some of the households that we help.”
She has many plans for this food cart, such as a special area where sponsors can have their names printed.
“We have a seller who is willing to part with the food cart for R18 000. We just need to raise the money,” said Ms Kruger.
‘Secunda Gratis en Verniet’ was founded last year and is registered as a non-profitable organisation that reaches out to needy people in the community, immaterial of race or gender.
It all began when Ms Fiona Pelman wanted to donate her daughter’s old clothes, but did not know to whom to give it to.
She asked on Facebook who is in dire need and the response was overwhelming.
“I realised just how much need there is in our community and that was when Secunda Gratis en Verniet was born,” explained Ms Pelman.
Residents can join the group and then either ask for help when they are in need of something, or help with donations and sponsorship.
The page now has more than 1 600 members.
There are five other administrators helping Ms Pelman run the various projects.
They are Ms Kruger, Mr Barend Weyers, Ms Bianca de Witt, Ms Sharon Smit ad Ms Lizané Odendaal.
According to Ms Pelman, none of them knew each other before this venture.
Now they have become good friends.
“We come from all walks of life, but we share a heart for those in need. This just works well,” said Ms Pelman.
Secunda Gratis & Verniet currently has about 35 children on a birthday list.
“Some of these children never before had a birthday party. We try to secure sponsors to help make every child’s birthday a very special day,” said Ms Pelman.
The group assists more than 31 families on a two-weekly basis with a substantive food parcel.
“We also have an emergency food parcel that consists of food for only one day.”
According to Ms Kruger, they keep a stock of children and adult clothes to help people in need of clothes and shoes as the need arises.
“We also keep a supply of baby clothes, nappies, bottles, blankets and other necessities to help mothers in emergencies,” said Ms Pelman.
Readers who want to know more about Secunda Gratis & Verniet and the work they do, can visit their Facebook page where the administrators’ names and telephone numbers are available, as well as their bank account details and credentials.
Anyone who is willing to help Ms Kruger achieve her goal of buying the food cart can contact her at 083 568 3069.
