HILTON’S FOOD RELIEF
Responding to the food security crisis caused by the civil unrest and looting this July, the Hilton community has rallied together to create sustainable food drives to ensure the availability of food to the neighbouring communities.
At the start of the unrest, local artist Jono Hornby set up the Sweetwaters Food Relief drive targeting pensioners and mothers with young children in collaboration with Umzansi Youth in Business. Hornby appealed to the Hilton community to assist with donations and in 36 hours, R34 000 had been raised, and 700kgs of food delivered to families in need in Sweetwaters.
Sweetwaters Food Relief then partnered with Hilton Food Relief (HER), formed by Hilton ward councillors Pam Passmoor and Craig Millar along with local faith-based institutions, and in less than a week 1000 food parcels were delivered to vulnerable families. Craig Millar said HER’s mandate is to provide food relief communities affected by food insecurity for the first month after the looting and then reassess. Councillor Pam Passmoor met with faith-based institutions to set up the HER to provide relief for Sweetwaters, Cedara and Hilton College areas where food insecurity would be hit hardest in the area.
Millar said the community’s response has been outstanding. Donations of clothes, food, even vegetable seedlings and fresh produce from farmers, as well as nonperishable foods and toiletries have been pouring in, with donations being received as far as Cape Town.
“Given the generosity of donors, we should be able to extend the time period and area of reach,” he said, adding that these are not handouts, but specifically focused on vulnerable communities.
He said this period of civil unrest has created an opportunity to unite all the communities together, such as Hilton, Sweetwaters and Emandleni.
“The spin off of this is the community and nation building we are going to be able to achieve. If we are to heal from this as a country, unity is key going forward,” he said.
If you would like to donate towards the food relief, details are as follows: HER: Nedbank Hope Trust Cheque 1343058546