Songs-4-Greens-4-Grans

• I am an ordained Christian Minister and Country Singer and have for some time now seen the plight of homeless families on the streets and in camps and have decided to do something about it. especially for the most vulnerable ,woman,children and elderly people.

We have one contact at a Fresh Produce Market . One agency dumps past-sell-by date vegetables every day.

We acquired access to these vegetables to collect and distribute whatever we can but funds are extremely limited. It costs us R200/ton to collect it and R200/ton to wash, sort, package & deliver it to where it is needed.

What a pleasure it was in the beginning to fill a trailer and just tell robot beggars and homeless to grab-a-bag. I however found that greed became a problem and they would call their mates and soon the trailer was empty‼️

We then began bringing the vegetables to our home and washing, sorting and packaging them ourselves and personally delivering them to where the old folks and destitute families lived, often in garages, servants quarters and even in tin shanties‼️

It however soon got to grow too large and we found ourselves having to sort our beneficiaries better. Elderly folk who have no vices like excessive drinking or drugs,single mothers and children got first options.

Hence the term Greens-4-Grans. Eventually our one-time provident fund benefit began to run out and we had to look for other means of income to pay for fuel, toll gate fees, tyres and vehicle maintenance etc so l began selling CD's that I had recorded over my 52-year semi-professional singing career. I was not a very well known artist so it was very difficult in the beginning, but being an experienced salesman l soon developed a pitch, letting folks know who and what I was doing it for ,I found people responding positively so l built on that.

From 2013 i could barely cover costs to collect and share and in 2016 the economy started waining and sales dropped even further.

By the beginning of this year sales had gone down to an all-time low and expense had increased to a point where I had to consider Surrender and give up the charity.

I am appealing to you as the reader to assist me to be able to continue with this charity and with God"s Grace expand further into portable, temporary shelter: for those who need it most: the elderly and small babies no1 priority who often die from exposure to the elements like freezing temperatures or extreme heat.

With your help it would be possible to assist with the plight of the hungry and the homeless.

In addition as a sign of grattitude i will send sponsors who donate R15 rand a song of choice from one of my 4 country albums. Sponsors above R200 will recieve a full cd of choice, The needy and I thank you for taking the time to read this. If you would like further information you can also contact me personally on 082 8491628. If you cant sponsor via paypal you can also send money directly to: Capitec Bank pretoria ,account holder: FC van Niekerk Account number: 1321015680 Branch code: 470010 any donations will be greatly appreciated.