Reverend Oscar Bougardt is appealing to the public for donations to help feed 750 kids on the Cape Flats over the winter school holiday.
With the three-week long June school holidays coming up, Bougardt says he wants to help feed children in poor communities through his War On Hunger feeding scheme.
“Sometimes this one meal is the only meal they get for the day,” the pastor tells the Daily Voice.
However, times are tough and they’ve been struggling to raise funds to feed the kids in areas of Delft, Mitchells Plain and Strandfontein.
“Since starting this feeding scheme 10 years ago, we managed to feed hundreds of kids, but it’s getting difficult because more kids are coming every year and we can’t feed everyone,” he says.
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Bougardt says his holiday programme and feeding scheme aims to empower the communities it reaches. It is also a way to keep children out of the clutches of gangsters.
“These kids fall prey to becoming victims of crime and joining gangs because of their living conditions.”
Bougardt and his team cook the food and serve the laaities.
“During the school holiday our children roam the streets for food, knocking on doors,” he says.
“I am appealing to people to help us by donating ingredients for the pot: fruit, vegetables, maize meal porridge or anything that will help us to take care of these children.
“We do not get funds from anyone and trust God that our community will open their hearts.”
To donate, call Rev. Bougardt on 064 432 9857 or 074 473 5162.