Local NGO, Meals on Wheels, has helped fight food insecurity for more than 60 years, but without urgent financial support, its mission to feed the city’s most vulnerable is at risk.
The group, which has been serving the East London community since 1964, prepares an average of 14,400 servings of meals and soup each month however, the rising of costs of food and declining donations are threatening their ability to continue.
It costs thousands to provide nutritious meals with a grocery bill that includes 200 to 300kg of rice and 160kg of butternut and R7,000 worth of containers.
Manager Jeni Campbell said they were weary that any month could be their last.
Campbell said: “We are living month to month and praying at the end of every month that we will be able to make it to the next.”
Meals on Wheels saw a surge in demand during and after Covid-19, which was contrasted by a steep drop in cash and food donations. Ever since then, the organisation has struggled to stay afloat.
Campbell said: “Because of Covid-19, there were more people who needed help but donors could not give as they used to. We decided to go public now because if more people know, more people will help.”
The organisation’s monthly budget sits around R120,000, covering everything from groceries and packaging to staffing and delivery needs.
Unfortunately, their financial situation has already forced them to delay plans to open more soup kitchens in surrounding communities.
Based at 19 Smartt Road in Nahoon, East London, to support or find out more, contact Jeni Campbell at jeni@mealsonwheelsel.org.za or call 043 735 2166.
