What Grahamstown Feeding Association is doing

The Grahamstown Feeding Association would like to update everyone interested in its feeding scheme, that was started in 1999 by late Prof. Brian Gaybba, and now in its 18th unsubsidised year.

Although funding has become difficult, especially as our star donor unavoidably reduced his annual financial contribution, the Soup Kitchen remains true to its sole objective-- to feed the hungry and poor in our city. The GFA continues to operate from a building behind City Hall, off Knight Street, five days a week. Food is prepared and distributed from there; as well as in Vukani and Joza where meals are taken by bakkie.

In 2017, 48 214 meals were served although we have had to cut back on quantities of food issued, owing to financial constraints. Each meal comprises a generous mug of soup and three slices of peanut buttered bread, twice a week. At times, Wylie’s Dairy donates huge quantities of milk and we wish to acknowledge Peter and Gill’s amazing generosity here.

Our two (and only) longstanding staff members, Monica Rensberg and Winston Goliath, continue to serve several hundred severely under-nourished residents each day. They keep the Soup Kitchen running smoothly, even when a crisis threatens. At times staff have suffered intimidation, involving knife threats, and items have been stolen from the kitchen, necessitating the use of our alarm system.

The GFA relies solely on donations for funding and despite expenditure inevitably exceeding income, it has thus far managed to carry on. A small contingent of Rhodes University staff members form the base of regular contributors and are the mainstay of our support.

The current GFA Management Committee is chaired by Adrienne Whisson and comprises seven members. The Community of the Resurrection of Our Lord accommodates our monthly meetings, as well as garaging the ancient GFA bakkie, and helping with storage.

It goes without saying that this letter provides information which we hope will result in financial response in feeding the huge numbers of indigent people among us everyday.

Please address any queries to Adrienne Whisson 046 622 3382 or Meg Hartzenberg 046 622 3658.

Joan Kaye MC Member