GEORGE NEWS - George Municipality has commenced with distribution of 150 food parcels to the most desperately needy in 16 of the municipality’s most vulnerable wards today (10 April 2020), and hopes to boost these efforts next week.
George Fire and Disaster Management head Neels Barnard said the municipality had received 90 food parcels from Garden Route District Municipality and made up another 60 from donated stock.
“With the assistance of ward councillors in vulnerable communities, five households per ward had been identified to receive the first round of food packages. The parcels contain food ingredients for a household of five people for seven days,” said Mr Barnard.
More food is in the process of being bought and packed, and more food parcels will be distributed from early next week. The George Municipality reiterates that persons requiring food assistance must continue to register on the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) database on details below and that the current food parcel service by the municipality is an interim bridging service to help our neediest households while the DSD gets its processes in place.
The municipality is using its official list of registered indigent households as a reference in the interim and will make every effort to assist as many people as possible with the resources available.
George Municipality also confirms that several of its usual soup kitchens in private homes across the municipal area have reopened. Initially some kitchens were closed where the home owners’ health might have been a concern or might have been potentially vulnerable, but in most cases other healthy and less vulnerable people have come in to serve in their place. There are now 117 kitchens serving, at least one in every vulnerable neighbourhood, and should be at full capacity of 137 later this week.
The municipality welcomes donations of food, hygiene and sanitary products, clothes, blankets and other supplies at its drive-through donation centre at City Hall. The stop-and-drop centre is open 8am-6pm on weekdays and 8am-5pm on weekends and public holidays.
People using online grocery delivery services wanting to donate, can make up an online basket and enter the delivery address as Drive-through centre City Hall, 71 York Street, George.
Types of items that will make a big difference include mielie meal, wheat flour, yeast, milk, sugar, salt, coffee, tea, samp, beans, macaroni, soup powder, stock and fresh or frozen vegetables and meat. Cleaning products such as dishwashing liquid, sponges, dishcloths, bleach, all-purpose cleaner and handwash laundry soap and hygiene products such as soap and hand cream will be welcome.
There is also a need for clothing for men, women and children at the homeless shelter.
Persons requiring food parcel assistance must please continue to register on the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD). Members of the public can also phone 0800 220 250 for DSD general queries and 0860 142 142 for donation requests and offers or send a Please Call Me to 079 769 1207, or email covid19donate@westerncape.gov.za. The George office of the Department Social Development can be contacted on 044 814 1920 during office hours.
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
