Gauteng Government is poised to support destitute families of all races with food parcels as part of its provisional intervention programme to the needy.
On Friday, Sedibeng Foodbank, run in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Social Development distributed over 246 food parcels to impoverished families at Mafatsana Community Hall in Evaton.
The project continued on Monday at Boikago Community hall where 270 underprivileged families were assisted.
A total of 516 people including senior citizens, needy and unemployed families received a helping hand.
The parcels were brought in as part of the Department's poverty alleviation programme aimed at feeding needy families, and people on the waiting list for social and dependency grants.
Community Development Manager Wandile Sibi said these are families or individuals who are experiencing undue hardships in their homes and the department took it upon itself to provide social relief from distress for such needy household.
 "The Department will continue to support families that are in need of help while on the other hand, will try to help children from these families with skills so that they are employable in future."
"This project is part of our drive to tackle food insecurity in a sustainable and impactful manner," added Sibi.
A 44-year old Mokgabatsane Mafuma from ward 11 in Small Farm said she is grateful to receive food parcels for the first time since 1994. She said her family has been struggling because she is unemployed and appreciate the good gesture that government is showing to them.
"It is not enough though, but is better than nothing. I have three children who are not working and my biggest fear is that they will end up using nyaope because they just roam around doing nothing. Re hloka mesebetsi," she begged.
The donation comprised a food hamper of large packets of mealie meal, sugar, baked beans, salt, vegetables, rice, tea, tins of fish and bottles of cooking oil for each of the families.​