Food Pantry Doors Now Officially Open

This is something Carl van Blerk, the executive director of the Garden Route Food Pantry (GRFP), can attest to. At the official opening of the GRFP on Friday 19 February, he said the past year has shown that people in the Garden Route have tremendous community spirit. The Food Pantry, the first of its kind in the province, is a facility that not only distributes food, but also helps people establish their own food gardens, thus ensuring food security.

Van Blerk said the project saw the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), other local municipalities and businesses work together. It is a privately run facility and must be seen as something that belongs to all of us, something we should take ownership of.

They want to progress from food aid and food relief to food security.

They also have agreements in place to fortify their food and are looking at long-term sustainability in the form of community gardens.

Any organisation, soup kitchen or even individuals who need help can register on the website www.echo.org.za.

In his speech, GRDM Mayor Memory Booysen said this could set the tone for the rest of the country.

They would like to eventually have satellite branches at other municipalities, “so that people can have quicker and better access to food”.

Western Cape Minister of Human Settlements Tertuis Simmers praised the concept of communities working together and said communities should “ask themselves what they as a community, as an individual can do to help others.”

Businesses, individuals and the general public can help the Food Pantry in various ways, including donating funds and volunteering to pack and prepare meals (there is a volunteer structure in place where people can schedule their availability).

If they become a Friend of the Pantry and donate R100 a month, their name will be placed on a brick inside the Garden Route Food Pantry behind the reception desk.

A monthly contribution will ensure the financial stability of the pantry and see to it that more meals are provided to more people.

Large businesses are also encouraged to consider partnering with the Food Pantry as a name partner in the fortified products, such as protein biscuits, fortified flavoured milk, porridges, and stew mix meals.

They want to progress from food aid and food relief to food security.