For the record, Operation Relief, the feeding scheme hosted on Wednesdays at St Peters by the Lake church, has been actively involved in caring for the homeless in our area for over a quarter of a century.
Funding comes mainly from the Jan Smuts Axis group of churches, but local residents and businesses also contribute regularly to the running costs of Operation Relief.
Registration cards are carefully kept for each of the homeless persons who attend, and after receiving food parcels for eight weeks, a person is no longer eligible to get a parcel. However, if the team of volunteer food packers feel there is a special need, then that person will be given a plate of hot food. Recipients of the food parcels also have access to free medical care, to the services of a social worker, and spiritual support.
There may well be residents in the Parkview and surrounding suburbs who wonder if the homeless people that come to the feeding scheme on Wednesdays are perhaps involved in criminal activities.
The project operates less than 50 meters from the front door of the Parkview police station, and is in direct line of sight of staff working there. It is doubtful if hardened, or even petty thieves, would want to be seen by police officials.
The quote by concerned residents that “The donation given to a church should be given to a central point like a shelter where the homeless stay” is indicative of the general lack of understanding of the plight of these people.
