HOPING to eradicate hunger in communties, the non-profit organisation, Food For Life Merebank, has provided more than 3 000 000 meals over the past decade.
The organisation, which falls under the national brand, Food For Life South Africa, provides nutritious vegetarian meals to families living in Merebank, Wentworth, Clairwood, Montclair and The Bluff, among other areas.
Paul Pillay, chairperson of the organisation, said he decided to approach the national branch to open the Merebank branch after seeing a great need in 2012.
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“It was a random evening when I had stopped at the shop to buy an ice-cream and as I was leaving I saw this man digging in a bin. I decided to go back inside the shop and bought a Chelsea bun and a cold drink for him.
“When I gave it to him, he ran around my car about three times in happiness. I just thought to myself, while I am buying a ‘luxury’ item, here is someone that is in need of something to eat.
“I kept thinking what can I do to help those that are hungry in our communities. I am part of the Hare Krishna movement, so I decided to approach the national branch and asked them if we could open a Merebank branch. Within a short space of time, the branch was opened and I was able to cook my first 250 meals. Over the next few days it grew to 500 meals then 1 000, and the need kept on growing. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we provided up to 6 000 meals a day. To date, we have provided about 3 000 000 meals, ” he said.
Pillay, who cooks the meals with the help of volunteers, said he currently provides 3 500 meals, which is a vegetable breyani, on Wednesdays. He also provides 600 meals, which include a vegetable breyani, dhall, salad, and a sweet dish, such as vermicelli or soji on Saturdays.
He added that with the need being so great, the organisation had its first evening feeding programme and provided 500 meals in Merebank last Wednesday.
“Our goal is to make our communities hunger-free. We are all children of God, so if I see someone suffering, I am actually seeing my brother or sister suffering, I cannot look away.
“When people ask how I feel being able to do this feedings, I say I feel blessed as those that come for a meal are in fact helping me to do this service and become a better person. It is reversed as they are doing me a favour and keep me grounded,” he said.
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Pillay said like many organisations, one of their challenges was the rising cost of food and limited sponsorship.
“We do have great support, however, recently because the economy is down, donations have started to dry up. We are still able to do the work that we do and keep to our goal of fighting hunger. But, any assistance would be greatly appreciated, so can continue to support people that are in need,” he said.
If you would like to find out how to assist the organisation, contact Pillay on 084 441 5647.
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