Denis Hurley Centre calls for volunteers to serve meals during festive season
Helping hands
At the Denis Hurley Centre Day of Reconcilliation meal, from left, Dr AV Mahomed from the Grey Street Mosque, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba, Reverend Mike Vorster (former Methodist bishop) and Raymond Perrier the Director of DHC.
Image: Denis Hurley Centre
THE Denis Hurley Centre (DHC) has extended a call for volunteers to assist with serving meals throughout the festive season, following its annual Meal of Reconciliation on December 16.
The event brought together nearly 380 people, including homeless and housed residents, South Africans and foreign nationals, representing all faiths and backgrounds, to share a meal at the DHC in Durban.
Raymond Perrier, director of the DHC, said the organisation relies on support from individuals, faith groups, and businesses across the metro to assist Durbanites who are less fortunate.
“Durban is not a poor city – it is just a very unequal city. That is why our Meal of Reconciliation is so important,” Perrier said.
The DHC was founded in the 1980s by Paddy Kearney, who envisioned reimagining December 16 — historically a divisive day — as a day of reconciliation for all South Africans. Perrier explained that the idea of sharing a meal was inspired by the universal presence of communal meals across religious traditions.
“That is how we had the idea to create a meal that focuses on what we have in common rather than what divides us. Part of that is a love of cakes and cool drinks – and we are grateful to those who donated,” he said.
The event was attended by eThekwini mayoral councillor Cyril Xaba, who had the opportunity to meet some of Durban’s homeless residents and share a meal with them.
“Gestures of solidarity are very important. But only if they are symbolic of something deeper. As a community, we also need to call out and challenge actions of abuse, neglect and intimidation. We need to support all those who are trying to make a positive difference in our city,” Perrier said.
Xaba commended the DHC for its initiative, saying it underscores that addressing homelessness is a shared responsibility.
The DHC is seeking volunteers to assist with serving meals on the following dates and times: 8–10 am or 11 am–1 pm on Saturday, December 27; Sunday, December 28; Tuesday, December 30; Wednesday, December 31; Thursday, January 1; Saturday, January 3; and Sunday, January 4, 2026.