Dear neighbours, allies, friends, and family,
We all find ourselves in unprecedented circumstances due to the challenges posed by the arrival and spread of the COVID-19 virus in our country. As the number of COVID-19 cases in the country continues to rise, and the country
navigates the new normal of lockdown levels and social distancing, the economic and social consequences of this crisis intensify. Despite all the challenges, we have seen some inspiring community-based responses around the city.
Cape Town Together is a rapidly developing community-based response to COVID-19 and it is growing every day. CTT has inspired ordinary people in communities across Cape Town to form local Community Action Networks or CANs. CANs are committed to self-organising to take action at the neighbourhood level to educate each other on accurate information, support the most vulnerable and high-risk residents, and share ideas and resources with other CANs.
The Plumstead Diep River Community Action Network (CAN) has formed to respond to needs in our immediate community, as we practice good neighbourliness and look out for one another’s wellbeing.
In our immediate community (as in many communities across the city) there are families who simply do not have what is needed to survive under the lockdown restrictions. Food insecurity is a major problem and we are seeing an increasing number of households reaching out for assistance.
Over the past 5 weeks, our Plumstead DiepRiver CAN has responded to help assist 70 families with weekly food vouchers for Shoprite Checkers.
We have also been supported by St Vincent’s de Paul who has contributed food packs as they have had capacity. Collectively we have shared over R30,000 to help our neighbours. As food insecurity expands, we need the commitment of businesses, organizations, and individuals in our
neighbourhood to pull together to meet the rising need.
Our vision going forward is to assist 80 households every week until such time as the economy opens up and pressure releases. Each week we will provide 40 families with food packs and 40 families with shop vouchers.
We can only reach that goal through the generous donations of our community.
How can you get involved?
• You can contribute R50 or R100 Checkers Shoprite vouchers by purchasing on Computicket
https://tinyurl.com/checkers-vouchers and sending to plumsteaddiepriverCAN@gmail.com
• You can contribute any items on our list of essential items for inclusion in weekly food packs.
• You can contribute time to help organize and deliver food packs in our neighbourhood.
• You can contribute time to help with fundraising and admin.
Together we CAN make a difference and lend a helping hand to our neighbours in this challenging time.
Drop us a line on plumsteaddiepriverCAN@gmail.com
In trust,
The Plumstead Diep River CAN Admin Team
Valerie Anderson, Ian Robinson, Mandy Moussouris, Sydney Church, and Keith Sparks
