GEORGE NEWS - There are currently 116 fully functioning nutritional centres within the George municipal service area that are run by volunteers from the various communities.
The centres provide three meals per week and the target group includes vulnerable children, chronically ill adults and the elderly. The centres receive a food hamper monthly from the municipality to ensure that the services continue.
Chronically ill adults are referred to the centres through local clinics. Regular monitoring also takes place at the centres and complaints received are investigated.
If anyone has any queries regarding the operating of the centres, they are free to contact the Community Development office on 044 802 1766.
Homeless persons
A local Forum for People Living on the Street was established about four years ago. This forum consists of various role players from local NGOs, governmental departments and members of the public.
The aim of the forum is to eradicate the issue of homelessness. Night outreaches took place during March and April this year to establish the number of people who are currently homeless.
The surveys also serve as a tool to identify the needs of the individuals and to see how they can be assisted.
Our community development office continues to provide clothing and toiletries to persons living on the street.
Through other stakeholders, reunification services are also planned for those individuals who indicated that they wish to reunite with their families.
Many people living on the street are also encouraged to register on the EPWP database and in some instances, they are assisted with the typing of their CVs for employment opportunities.
The issue of homelessness is a vast challenge and assistance from all spheres is needed to address the issue properly.
Anyone who wants do donate non-perishable food, clothing, blankets or toiletries can drop it at the Community Development office on the corner of St John’s and Varing streets in the George CBD.
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