Social welfare organization Mustadafin Foundation is calling on the community's help in its aim to cook 20 large pots of food for impoverished communities, on the eve of Eid-ul-Adha. This is a first for the NGO, who have for years only cooked before Eid-ul-Fitr. According to disaster coordinator Ebrahim Smith, the tough economic climate and rising levels of poverty have increased the need for hunger aid.
"Because no one would be cooking on the day of Eid, our fear is that so many people will be left hungry. Our intention is to cook 20 one hundred litre pots of food to feed about 5000 people on the day," he said.
The relief aid agency works tirelessly in destitute communities and feeds about 15 000 people on a daily basis. For its Eid food distribution drive, the NGO has identified some of the most underprivileged communities in the Western Cape such as Tafelsig, Montrose Park, Khayelitsha, Delft and Crossroads.
"These are areas where we have our feeding schemes but there are other areas that have requested to provide food. Amongst these are Bonteheuwel, Brooklyn and Montague Gift, where there is a great need," said Smith.
Given the financial difficulties many consumers face at present, Smith said there has been a slight decline in donations streaming in from the public. At the same time, the organization has also seen a surge in the amount of people queuing for food, indicating a greater need. "People are obviously feeling the pinch and the need has become far greater. However, we not able to fulfill this need so we cannot create a balance," he said.
Smith said the Nakhlistan feeding scheme has contributed to the project by donating larges packs of rice and spices have been sponsored by Spice Mecca. The foundation's main need at present is chicken, potatoes, onions and cooking oil. The cooking process will be taking place at the Foundation's premises and the public is encouraged to participate.
"Given the high cost of basic food stuffs, we will be cooking chicken akhni, as meat will be too expensive. We want communities to participate in this event by helping us clean the chicken or onions and peeling potatoes. If families want to sponsor a pot of food, they can cook it together and be involved in the distribution on Eid day as well," he called.
Smith urged the public to drop off their donations, as the organization is currently facing a shortage of transport and manpower. The Mustadafin Foundation is located at 18 Belgravia Rd Athlone on 021 633 0010 / 60. VOC (Tasneem Mohamed) |
