Winter in Grahamstown/Makhanda

There has been such a terrible series of linked events that have led to the crisis we see around us now, and it really is a crisis.

Lack or loss of employment has led to a lack of food security, leading to so many other tragedies that are facing our society. Some desperate people may turn to drugs and alcohol to numb the hopelessness. Others may turn to crime to try to make ends meet and feed themselves and their loved ones, and others try to make ends meet in novel ways, for example, those young entrepreneurs who create things to sell, or hawk fruits and vegetables wherever they can. Another good example is the company of car guards who are working so hard to become as legitimate as possible, building a society of trusted guards to earn whatever they can.

But the lack of food security still hangs over most. No matter how well a day went, the thought foremost in so many minds, is "Will there be food for my family today?"

This is where Food4Futures tries to help as much as we can, by giving people a bit of food security in the short term, they are able to focus on getting themselves onto their feet in one way or another.

Our aim is to add new people to the distribution list as those who are currently on it become able to support themselves. But even with that food security, there is a new challenge as the season changes cold becomes a new foe; shack fires become more common, and loss of life becomes an ever increasing risk.

Because of these dangers, Food4Futures - Ithemba Le Kamva is collecting as many winter clothes and blankets as we can, so that we can distribute the items among those in our community who need them most.