As we mentioned before, in addition to individual family food parcels, We bring food to a large soup kitchen almost every day. Pastor Nanda told us just weeks ago: There have been times I am almost forced to divide a bread roll between two children, just so everyone can have something. Also, much of our food supplies have stopped due to lockdown, so what you bring keeps us going and gives so, so many their daily food!” This time, Pastor Nanda was so grateful to receive (on top of the regular load of food items) 150 sandwiches – made with love by some friends of Helping Hand – plus apples and oranges (See video) How sweet and thankful! Praise God!

It has been estimated that up to 25% of South African households (not limited to informal settlements!) are without money to buy food. This is absolutely heartbreaking, and as followers of Christ, we feel compelled to do what we can, even if it seems little in the face of overwhelming need.
We have been continuing our collection and distribution of fresh foods and goods during lockdown – while observing all possible practices for hygiene and social distancing for the protection of ourselves and others. To date since lockdown began we have distributed over 5700kg of fresh food – meat, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and bread, plus staples like rice, flour, sugar, tins, maize, tissue paper, and more!

For all of you who participated in the HomeRun for the Homeless Initiative – organized by STS – a huge and grateful “Thank You! It exceeded expectations and was also truly an encouragement to our whole full-time team; we have at times felt overwhelmed recently. So thank you!
We will now be able to purchase foodstuffs and then pack and bring desperately needed aid parcels to two locations (over 700 people) that we could not assist much during lockdown up to now due to lack of funds. This is SO wonderful and we are excited to press forward with helping as many as possible.

We heard about a team in Worcester doing their best to alleviate the suffering caused by lack of work and food during this time. We were glad to be able to give them a variety of essential items and foodstuffs, enabling them to make quite a few more parcels for families that side. They sent pictures of some of those that benefited!

When driving back from a major food parcel distribution, we noticed a group of men, women, and children standing on a little ridge on the side of the main road, holding up simple signs that tore at our hearts…
… “Out of Food” …”Please Help With Anything” …”Hungry”

A man whom we have been ministering to for several years contacted us asking for help for desperate families in his area -especially single moms, kids, and elderly. He himself was a convict years back, and now that he found Christ and new meaning, is doing all he can to lift up others. Thanks to sponsors both in funds and in kind, we could make up a comprehensive parcel for each family – something to help encourage and enable them to keep going till things improve.

Could you run or walk 1 km at your home for the homeless and destitute?
Please support the cause. Challenge your friends and family.
1:Enter / donate here
www.triathlonsquad.co.za/homerun
(ALL funds going to Helping Hand (www.blog.helpinghandSA.org, www.helpinghandSA.org, www.facebook.com/helpinghandSA)
triathlonsquad.co.za/homerun
Lucky draw prizes!
2: Run/walk on Monday Freedom Day 27th April 2020
3: tag us in your pics: @ststri / #homerun4thehomeless

These sweet children from our weekly Sunday School (and other kids from the settlement) got a food parcel with basic foodstuffs and necessities, to try to ease their extreme plight during CoViD-19 Lockdown.* This was a much appreciated event, with the children very glad to see us and spend a little time together after weeks of no Sunday School. We miss them too, and are so grateful to have been able to show a little love and care, to help them make it through.