A religious organisation supported by several community groups organised a “Street Store” in the Helderberg last Saturday (27 May), which directly benefited 690 needy community members through means of warm clothes, shoes and food.
“The street store is a pop-up store where we give people in need the opportunity of a free shopping experience,” Christiaan Rossouw, one of the organisers and Youth Leader at Doxa Deo said. “The aim is to let them pick out an entire outfit for themselves and, with that, give them something to eat, and we pray with them afterwards”.
Doxa Deo roughly translates “to the greater glory of God”, the source of compassion for the people he has created.
“Our dream is to change cities into places where God rules,” its website states. “We do this by living out our passion for God in our community, making an impact at our workplaces and addressing needs in the community.
“Everything we do focuses on equipping and building our people so that they can be agents of positive change in their world. We call ourselves ‘City Changers’ who know God, love people and impact the world with the truth of Jesus Christ.”
This Street Store took place on 27 May at Gordon High School in Somerset West, where a long line of homeless and needy lined up from 07:00.
Volunteers, numbering more than 120 in total, accompanied each individual and assisted them in choosing the correct sizes of clothing, jackets, shoes and other items.
“We are extremely thankful to Gordon High for opening up its venue at no cost to us,” said Rossouw. He also extended a word of thanks to all organisations who supported and assisted with the street store, including Doxa Deo Helderberg, Doxa Deo Stellenbosch, Hoerskool Strand, Laerskool Danie Ackerman Pebbles Kitchen, Serve Stellenbosch, AfriForum Neighbourhood watch, Lorentia Prak Neighbourhood Watch, Victoria Park Neighbourhood Watch, Spur Operational Managers, Walk with a Purpose and Itemba – Circle of Hope.
