A Wynberg community feeding scheme has received a R250 000 donation from the mayoral fund.
Saieda Lotters, the director of Wynberg Concerned Citizens, a non-profit company, first spoke to mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, at the Open Government First Thursday session at the Grassy Park civic centre on Thursday October 3.
When Mr Hill-Lewis fielded questions from the public, she told him about the need to bolster their service after the feeding scheme suffered a loss in funding, and the mayor promised it would get the City’s support.
During a cheque handover at his office on Wednesday October 30, Mr Hill-Lewis thanked Ms Lotters for her community work.
“We are so proud to support you in the work that you do. You are an example of the unity, generosity, and the diversity of Cape Town,” he said.
Run by Ms Lotters with seven family members and two neighbours, Wynberg Concerned Citizens feeds the needy in Wynberg and surrounds.
It started in 2020 when Ms Lotters and her husband, Rashaad Sadien, started handing out pockets of potatoes and onions to the needy in their community during the Covid pandemic. The potatoes and onions gave way to food parcels and, later, hot meals.
“We took a portion of our salary, and we just put it into Wynberg Concerned Citizens and are still feeding people today,” Ms Lotters said.
The feeding scheme’s volunteers feed at least 50 people daily in Wynberg. And twice a week, they feed scores of people in other areas where there is a need, including Manenberg, Hanover Park, Pelican Park and the Bonnytoun informal settlement.
“You really have to have a heart to do this. I was born in Batts Road, Wynberg but grew up in Manenberg and saw how people struggled. My family struggled too. I have a passion for giving to those who are in need of a plate of food. The smile on their face and their appreciation says a lot,” said Ms Lotters.
She recalled how a child had once approached her to say, “Thank you, auntie, for the food; I didn’t have food today,” and it had brought tears to her eyes.
With the donation, Ms Lotters hopes to continue the regular feeding and expand the service to neighbouring schools and organisations that have asked for help, including Hyde Park Primary, Ottery Methodist School, Douglas Road Primary, St Augustines RC Primary and Immaculata Girls High School.
Her aim is to become a distributor of pots of food, supporting other organisations feeding the needy.
Ward councillor Carmen Siebritz said many people didn’t realise how big the need was or the positive impact a food parcel or even just a plate of food could have.
“People are at times afraid of what neighbours or fellow residents may say. They don’t easily ask for assistance. However, I’ve seen many messages and at times personally field calls from residents asking for even just a bread, affording them an opportunity of sleeping with a full tummy on any particular day. Because I cannot always feed out of my pocket, it’s times like these that I call on Wynberg Concerned Citizens to assist. Not once have they ever denied a request.”
