The Salvation Army in Goodwood is serving its community and people wholeheartedly, with no hesitation, liberating people and giving back to the poor.
This winter it is no different, the Salvation Army is having a winter blanket and clothing drive to help those on the streets and the public is encouraged to donate anything they can to make this a roaring success.
The Salvation Army has many congregations across the country where Christian believers worship, seek salvation, and serve the communities in which they are situated. At the same time, The Salvation Army is fully engaged in a vibrant ministry of outreach to those impacted and affected by poverty and hunger, sadness, abuse and desperation. Whether through the people of their faith communities (corps), or their officers and staff who run their formal outreach ministries, “we bring the love of God to the poorest of the poor and the neediest of communities”, said Lieutenant Mpumelelo Dathini.
In Goodwood, the army is engaging in supporting the homeless with food parcels, a weekly soup kitchen, prayer, blankets, supporting families in need, and local schools. They are engaging with youth and children through Friday youth club, and children through Sunday Ministries. The Salvation army feeds an average of 1 200 people a month, and the institution is hoping to increase this with more support. Each month 15 families receive two food parcels.
“The winter blanket and clothing drive comes as a response to the need we have seen as we have been feeding those we work with on the street. The need is real in summer as in winter, but it is more difficult in winter due to rains, and cold weather that people must face. We have also had a lot of families that are experiencing the aftereffects of the Covid-19 impact, these are growing every time we go out to serve people,” Lieutenant Mpumelelo said.
“The need is great and we as the Salvation Army recognize we are part of an active community that is ready to support, we felt it appropriate to ask the community to assist us to help those who cannot help themselves this winter. Need knows no season.”
The Goodwood Winter Blanket Drive is overseen by Lieutenants Mpumelelo and Desire Dathini and the Local Officers (Elders).
“We have malls that are showing interest to have us put boxes that will help us collect the blankets. This is our first year in a while since we have done this type of drive so we are hoping that the public will heed our call for support. We are calling at companies to encourage their employees to send clean second-hand blankets, individuals to watch out for our boxes at malls and send blankets there, and so non-perishable goods, bread and anything else that can help, we hope this year’s drive will kickstart an annual drive within our community,” Dathini said.
The Salvation Army also has a thrift (charity) store that helps them continue the work throughout the year, so if people have unwanted furniture and other usable goods they can collect for free. Goods are sold and the money used to support their work, other goods are given to families in need or as the need arises.
- People can contact the Salvation Army’s office at 021 591 1538 or email goodwood.corps@saf.salvationarmy.org for donations.
