The African National Congress Youth League in Ward 73, John Nkadimeng Branch, has started a Winter Feeding Initiative to help feed the needy in their area.
Formerly known as the Houghton Branch, the league is feeding about 50 homeless people who live in the parks and have no homes. The branch, which used to be home to former presidents, Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe, is also the home of many displaced people who are desperately in need.
This initiative was started on 18 July and Riccardo Houghton, the chairperson of the branch, said it continues every Wednesday evening throughout winter.
Houghton said this Initiative aims at feeding the poor and displaced people in their community.
“We provide wholesome meals which include either beef, chicken or lamb stews with rice or samp and vegetables, tea and coffee, as well as fruit and bread rolls for the morning to assist with breakfast,” he said.
“The programme has been successful and continues to grow, however, it is quite costly. We feed about 50 homeless people on average and have provided beenie’s, scarfs and blankets with the proceeds that we had received from some of the ANC members who provided sponsorship.”
Houghton said they also receive sponsorship and assistance from some of the local businesses and schools in the community but more is needed to ensure its sustainability.
He said many of the displaced people sleep in Ivy Road Park and at Paterson Park opposite the Norwood Police Station.
Unfortunately, the closest displaced people’s centre is in Hillbrow.
There is also another feeding initiative on Thursdays at St Lukes Church which the ANCYL said it recently found out about and hope to work with it in future.
“We hope that with the continued support of our community members we can assist our people beyond winter and live by the principles of comrade Nelson Mandela who stated that freedom is meaningless if people cannot put food in their stomachs,” concluded Houghton.
Details: Riccardo Houghton riccardohoughton@gmail.com
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