Struggling residents in Heideveld received much-needed relief on Wednesday as staff from the Ihata Shelter for abused women and girls handed out warm food and care packs.
Staff at the shelter along with their partners, Penny Appeal, spent the morning cooking and packing donations to assist residents who are sukkelling during the nationwide lockdown.
Shelter director, Nuraan Osman, says as the lockdown commenced, they noticed an increase in people looking for food to eat as many workers have been restricted to their homes and their income limited.
“We looked at what we can do to make a difference and so our funding partner, Penny Appeal, came on board to help us with the distribution of hand sanitisers because the people in the poorer communities cannot afford it,” she says.
DONATION: Nuraan carries sanitisers
“Many people who are vulnerable were walking around looking for food, so we thought if we can at least prepare the meals, we can bring relief to people, but also help limit movement in the community and reduce the spread of the virus.”
Earlier this week, the shelter cooked chicken dahl and rice for homeless people who are being housed in the city centre by the City of Cape Town.
On Wednesday, shelter staff- assisted by Manenberg police went on a door-to-door campaign in the Cathkin Informal Settlement where they handed out care packs and lamb dahl and rice to the needy.
The team also handed out sanitary towels.
They aim to have at least two handouts each week throughout the lockdown.