GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT NEWS - A group of volunteers in Plettenberg Bay has ensured that thousands of meals were delivered or served in Bitou last week.

This was made possible thanks to donations from the Plett community and the Plett Dinner Club.

Local resident Rob Bokelmann, who heads these organised efforts, said 15 870 meals were distributed in the Bossiesgif, Pinetrees and Qolweni areas. This included 120 weekly family parcels amounting to 2 520 meals. Six soup kitchens supplied and served 1 200 meals a day to feed the hungry residents. Seven crèches were also supplied with 12 250 meals which fed about 250 children. About 300kg of dog and cat food was given to stray animals in the industrial area. Additionally, seeds were delivered for Qolweni residents to use to establish vegetable gardens.

Bokelmann said in the Crags and Kurland areas, 12 600 meals were distributed. Funding from the Rotary Fund assisted in ensuring that 300 family food parcels were delivered in a week, equating to 10 500 meals. About 300 people a day were also served food at soup kitchens in the area, amounting to 2 100 meals.

In Kranshoek, efforts included the distribution of 300 family food parcels for the week, producing 10 500 meals. The area's soup kitchen also feeds between 600 and 800 children and elderly residents daily, equating to 4 920 meals. Volunteers have been going door-to-door to check if residents have food.

In Harkerville 3 150 meals were distributed, including 150 weekly family food parcels, and in Green Valley 3 000 meals were provided, including 200 weekly family food parcels and 200 meals from food drops made in Uplands.

In New Horizons, 730 meals were provided, including 450 at a soup kitchen and weekly food parcels for 10 families.

In Plett Central, 100 meals were served, which included 35 people who were fed twice a week.

A further 128 family hampers were distributed in Kwanokuthula, Kranshoek and the Crags.

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