The annual #Feed5000 initiative concluded on Sunday 16 January and distributed about 9 500 meals to people living on the street around Cape Town.
#Feed5000, which has been running since 2014, is a collaboration between The Hope Exchange, Ladles of Love and RPJ Helping Hands, which aims to provide more than 15 000 meals to Cape Town’s homeless community and is one of the only official feeding schemes that operates over the festive period.
It is run from the Hope Exchange premises in Roeland Street in the City bowl. The campaign started on Saturday 11 December and concluded on Sunday.
Sharnelle Cader, Administrator at The Hope Exchange, says the aim is to bring a sense of hope, happiness and gratitude to those in need at a time when our city centre empties and access to food and resources for the homeless community are limited.
“It was started to address food scarcity for the homeless during the festive period when most of the regular service providers close, #Feed5000 is seen as a ray of hope for the hungry.
“The City Bowl empties over the holidays making sources of food for the homeless harder to find. The campaign has grown significantly since 2014 due to the increase in demand from the homeless community.”
Cader says their biggest challenge this year was funding and fewer volunteers.
“We always battle to find donations and funding, but we are thankful for the kindness and generosity of supporters who share a commitment to bring comfort to the homeless.”
Cader explains that despite the challenges posed by Covid-19 in 2020, the campaign experienced its busiest year serving a total of 11 516 meals.
“The issues and concerns of growing poverty and homelessness is an incredibly sad reality and we need the support of the wider community to help us ensure the homeless are cared for and have access to basic services for their continued good health, safety and dignity.”
Cader says clients are served a nutritious meal.
“We work on a seven-day cycle, so we serve anything from spaghetti and bread to hot dogs, vegetable soup and pasta. On Christmas day we had a special meal, so we served chicken and cupcakes and Coke sponsored us with some cooldrinks.”
Peter Solomon, Director of The Hope Exchange, says: “Not everyone has the blessing of a family or the privilege of a home. This is particularly acute for the homeless during the festive season when family and friends traditionally come together. It is also a time when food for the homeless is scarce. #Feed5000 is another way in which we provide basic services to give our clients the confidence to face the world with dignity and encourage them to utilise our services to change their lives.”
The Hope Exchange and #Feed5000 relies on the generosity of the public to provide essential services.
- To donate, volunteer or support #Feed5000 visit www.thehopeexchange.org or call 021 461 5508.
