Food drive fills lockdown hunger

A FEEDING initiative in Wentworth is making a difference to those who need it most during the lockdown period.

Started by food truck owner and biker, Dominic Samuels, the Covid-19 Wentworth Community Food Drive is fast gaining momentum with volunteers and donors and is ensuring that more families have wholesome meals.

“The lockdown intensified the need for food in the community on a big scale, the reason being that so many people do odd jobs like home maintenance, or recycling like collecting scraps to feed their families, which is their only daily or weekly income. Due to the lockdown, there is no income.”

“As a biker, I’ve been doing charity runs for a good few years and I know the need in the area,” he said.

He said the food drive gave his food truck another purpose, to feed those who needed it most.

“My six-year-old son asked me for something nice to eat just after lockdown and I thought about the people who didn’t have money to fill their cupboards and fridges.”

“I wondered what they were eating. I decided to use the stock in my food truck to feed them.”

“I posted my idea on Facebook and the community responded positively, without me having to ask for assistance. I felt it was wrong to ask for anything because of the coronavirus situation and uncertainty we’re all in.”

The food drive is growing from strength to strength every day and is uniting residents for a greater purpose.

“Some people call me to collect whatever food item they’re able to spare, others offer their assistance by pre-cooking the food. This provides relief to my daughter and I who are the only ones peeling vegetables and cooking.”

“We did it for about three days and people started coming on board, it’s working out very well. The community is blessed because we are standing together for the needy,” said Dominic.

“We don’t know what the situation is going to be like when we are out in the field, but we have to be fully geared with our masks and gloves.”

He said their community food drive is in compliance with regulations from government in term of social distancing.

“There is control when we’re feeding people, the team ensures that people adhere to the one-meter gap, if someone does not comply, we tell them we won’t serve them.

“People are disciplined and good, no one is being stubborn, rude or harsh.”

Dominic added that their efforts are because of their compassion for Wentworth and urged others to pay it forward in their respective communities.

“No one involved is looking for fame, we do what we do because we care. Go out there and feed your community.”

“There are people starving because they cannot afford to eat because of the circumstances we are all in.”

“Rally together, make a way and feed people in your community. Let’s do this because we care, God bless and let’s be safe,” he said.

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