Gauteng’s largest food bank closed due to lack of government funds

According to a report by GroundUp, the Gauteng Department of Social Development has forced Gauteng’s largest food bank to shutdown following delays in funding. The food bank, which distributes roughly five-thousand parcels of food to the needy each month, is run by the Believers Care Society. The organisation describes itself as “Christian believers with a passion for humanity, whose goal is to relieve the suffering of poverty, unemployment and sickness in South Africa.”

FOOD BANK FUNDS RUN DRY

Now, due to lack of funding, the Believers Care Society food bank has had to close its doors. And GroundUp reports that several others like it in Gauteng are also on the verge of closure for the same reason. A DSD spokesperson told GroundUp that the food banks are currently ‘under investigation’ but provided no further details as to why. However, the Gauteng MEC for Finance Jacob Mamabolo recently told eNCA that the food parcel tender was under investigation for irregularities.

However, it is understood that roughly 1 800 food parcels are sitting, ready to be distributed Believers Care Society. The food bank is still receiving parcels from various suppliers contracted by the department. However, there have been no funds disbursed to actually distribute them to the needy and indigent families.

100 000 HOMES ANNUALLY

The department’s target is to feed 100 000 households per year through its food security programme. The Gauteng MEC for Social Development Mbali Hlope says the department’s food relief programme amounts to R186 million. This includes R18-million on food banks and a total of R74-million on food parcels.

The food banks are dependent on funding from the DSD to pay rent and staff salaries. However, the report alleges that funds have not been paid since the start of the financial year. This may be due to an administrative delay in the signing of Service Level Agreements with the various food banks.

DOORS REMAIN CLOSED

However, in the meantime, the Believers Care Society food bank is alleged to have defaulted on its rent. The landlord summarily confiscated the keys and locked-up shop. New food suppliers were appointed early in 2024 and have been delivering food parcels to the food banks. However, suppliers have complained of incomplete and often low quantities of food. Moreover, there has been no payment from the department to the food banks to distribute them.

It is understood, according to GroundUp, that pending 2024/25 funding allocations, month-to-month contracts are to be signed. And each food bank should receive in the region of R600 000 each month (for April and May). Meanwhile, thousands of families must go hungry as food parcels go undistributed.