Parktown North Methodist Church Provides Daily Meals and Skills Training for Homeless Community

The Parktown North Methodist Church has long been a beacon of community service, embodying the principle that giving is better than receiving. The church secretary, Liz Sterley, highlighted the church’s daily efforts to support those in need, including serving tea and sandwiches to homeless individuals at 10:30 am on Wednesdays and providing a hot meal at 6:30 pm. These meals are part of the church’s commitment to meeting the physical needs of the vulnerable.

On Thursdays, the church offers sewing and knitting classes, historically attended by domestic workers. These classes provide not only a skill but also a sense of purpose and community. The church’s efforts extend to Friday mornings, when homeless individuals can access showers and laundry facilities through the Hope and Soap Project. This initiative aims to restore dignity to those passing through its doors.

In addition to direct aid, the church collaborates with Ikageng Itireleng in Soweto to empower child-headed households and substance-abuse recovery groups. Through a candle-making project, participants are taught a trade that allows them to start their own businesses, fostering self-sufficiency. This work aligns with the church’s mission to uplift and support those in need.

A partnership with St Stithians College ensures the church receives 23 loaves of bread weekly, underscoring the importance of community collaboration. Sterley emphasized the church’s ongoing need for donations of tinned food, vegetables, bread, and bread spreads, highlighting the continuous effort required to sustain these programs.

Over the past decade, Sterley has helped approximately 40 to 50 men secure employment, enabling them to leave the streets and reintegrate into society. This work reflects the church’s dedication to both immediate relief and long-term transformation.

With the arrival of Reverend Sifiso Khuzwayo as the new minister, the church looks forward to expanding its community impact. Khuzwayo expressed confidence in the congregation’s commitment to community service, signaling a promising future for the church’s outreach efforts.

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