Urgent: food, clothing, bedding and building supplies needed for Sea Vista homeless

(Updated: 13 October 2011:)

There are about 50 starving, homeless people right now staying at the Sea Vista Community Hall after a fire burnt down their shacks.

The fire raced through a section of the Zwelitsha squatter on Monday afternoon before being brought under control by volunteer St Francis Bay firemen working under the auspices of Kouga Municipality.

See story about fire: 

http://stfrancischronicle.com/2011/10/10/fire-razes-at-least-six-sea-vista-shacks-to-the-ground-today/

The homeless lost everything in the fire and were left with just the clothes on their backs. They need food, clothes, towels and bedding.

The homeless at the hall had no food  on Monday night. After phoning around, community worker, Ann Knight, was delighted when Barron’s restaurant volunteered to cook food for the people. In  just half an hour Knight and her husband were able to pick up the food to feed the hungry.  Knight wishes to express thanks for Barron’s for coming to the rescue.

Yesterday St Francis Bay SuperSpar donated food and excess stock. The Spar is also donating on a daily basis.

And Bay Building Supplies is collecting any building products as donations for the homeless – from doors, window frames, bricks , beams, slate etc. These can be left at the company’s Tarragona Road Ofices.

Owner of the company, Bob Harcus, says he has donated R5000 to the rebuilding of one shack as the owner was destitute.

Then the Sea Vista church,  Shekinah Ministries under Pastor Andrew Vena,  also donated some food and clothes yesterday.

But more food, blankets and old clothes are needed urgently. If any of you can help with any items, pelase phone Ann: 083 304 9340 or Lynne: 082 777 5624 to arrange for collection or where to drop off. Donated items can also be left at SuperSpar where there is a collection box.

The St Francis Bay Rotary Club will be at the Superspar between 4 and 7 pm tomorrow evening collecting food. This is to assist the 50 people  If anyone would like to donate blankets, towels or second hand clothing it will all be gratefully accepted.

See food donations so far: 

http://stfrancischronicle.com/2011/10/14/compassionate-st-francis-residents-rally-to-help-homeless/

Zwelitsha is an illegal squatter camp with more than 1000 shacks situated close together. The area is home to about 6000 squatters.

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