- What began as a holiday in Montagu for Carol and Steve Bruton in May 2011 evolved into a dedicated mission to support impoverished communities.
- Over 13 years, their efforts have expanded from collecting food and clothes to operating kitchens in Montagu and Goodwood, providing crucial aid to those in need.
- Their story highlights the significant impact of grassroots initiatives and the couple’s unwavering commitment to helping others.
What started as a simple holiday in Montague has blossomed into a life-changing mission for Carol Bruton and her husband Steve from Thornton. Since May 2011, the couple has dedicated themselves to supporting the impoverished communities in Montagu.
“We started in May 2011. We went on holiday to Montagu for a week. I was recovering from a medical condition,” Carol recalls.
“While we were there, I could not sit still. I found a garden project, and from there I spoke to the people and realised there was a very poor section of Montagu called Ashbury. Not everyone is poor, but it has a lot of poverty in that little area. So we looked around and just enjoyed the humbleness of the rural town’s people and their appreciation for the smallest thing that you do. Steve and I came back that week and decided that we didn’t want to turn our backs on these people ever again.”
Collecting food and clothes
Initially, the Brutons began collecting food and clothes from family and friends. For four years, they questioned whether they could sustain their efforts. “After four years, we realised that we needed more help and we registered our NPO,” Carol explains.
Over the past 13 years, their work has grown significantly. “At the time, we didn’t have any extra kitchens; we actually just cooked in the streets with gazebos and gas burners. We were transporting everything to and from Cape Town,” Carol continues. “We applied for a permit to cook in Cape Town and then take food through. Our vehicle was approved because we travel with a freezer on chill, running off inverters. So we were doing a lot of cooking in Cape Town but serving in Montagu and the Goodwood area.”
Homeless people in Goodwood
Despite logistical challenges, the Brutons have expanded their operations. “We’ve been home for a while because of travelling conditions on the roads, but I still felt I should be cooking while we are here. Subsequently, we opened up three areas where we’ve been cooking from. We were given a hall by one of the big businesses for free use for as long as we are in existence. We have the facilities and the permits for cooking in that facility.”
Their outreach extends beyond Montagu. “We do have some homeless people in Goodwood that I still have never met, but we’ve been looking after them for a few years. If there is anybody that comes past our door asking for food, we will always have something on hand for them,” Carol says.
Reflecting on their journey, Carol notes the disparity in assistance between rural and urban areas. “Our activities in Cape Town are a lot less than what we do in Montagu. Rural people do not get the help that city surroundings do, and we felt quite passionate and strong about that. During Covid, it was absolutely devastating for Montagu.”
