A fortress available for the destitute
"We are a Non-Profit Organisation with the aim of uplifting the people in our community."
Fortress of Refuge Foundation (FRF) is a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) based in Florida, aiming to uplift the destitute in their community by providing for their basic needs.
The NPO does not only look after the needs of the Florida community, but also reaches out to those in the neighbouring communities. “We have a church service every Monday from 4.30pm, and afterwards we serve food. Every Thursday afternoon from 3pm, we serve food to approximately 120 people,” said Beatrix Brandon, the Foundation’s assistant fundraiser.
The NPO also aims to equip them with skills training and job placement, to help them become self-sufficient. “We aim to reduce unemployment which is the cause of many other socio-economic problems, including crime, vandalism, drug and alcohol abuse and loitering. We also offer counselling and are committed to making a difference in the lives of the poor and destitute by uplifting their position in society. The Foundation wants to expand into other communities by planting shelters, resulting in more people being helped,” she said.
Their biggest wish is to provide 500 shoebox gifts for adults and children throughout the West Rrand for Christmas, but they need the help of the community. “We do receive weekly donations from Little Falls Christian Centre and 192kgs of food from Pick ‘n Pay monthly, for which we pay a small amount. For the Christmas shoeboxes we require the following donations: non-perishable food, toiletries, blankets, clothing toys, facecloths, raincoats, body lotion and biscuits (the children just love them!), but we would be grateful for any other donations as well,” said Beatrix.
She explained that they will be covering the shoeboxes with Christmas giftwrap one day during December and then packing them, whereafter they will ensure the people are brought to FRF to enjoy a Christmas meal and receive a gift. “Due to financial constraints, we ask the community to please find it in their hearts and help with donations to enable us to either buy the food or cook for the December Christmas meal for our people in need,” she said.
FRF is pleading with the community to assist with donations of much-needed items, or by offering their services as a volunteer.
Any of the following donations will be greatly appreciated:
• Any second-hand goods
• Clothing, shoes, jackets, blankets, curtaining, pillows, linen, towels
• Beds, mattresses, tables, chairs, cupboards or any other furniture
• Pots, pans, crockery, cutlery, kitchen utensils, appliances, fridges, freezers
• Books, stationery, school bags, school shoes, grey school pants, white school shirts
• Toiletries of any kind (soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorants, washcloths)
The address for the Monday afternoon church service and food is 65 Rail Street, Florida, and on Thursdays, the food distribution takes place at 83 Rail Street.
Any donations can be made to the following account:
Accountholder: Fortress of Refuge Foundation
Bank: Nedbank
Account number: 1049654854
Branch code: 19054100
Account type: N5000
For more information, contact FRF on 011 672 2274 or send an email to fort.refuge@mweb.co.za.
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