The donations were then distributed to the City’s Culemborg Safe Space and other non-governmental organisations working in the sector.

The Safe Space is a transitional shelter which provides overnight shelter at a facility underneath the Culemborg Bridge on the Foreshore and it currently provides a bed to 230 people with 30 clients in the Matrix drug rehabilitation programme. The City’s next Safe Space is currently in the process of being planned.

'There is no doubt this vulnerable group needs assistance on many levels and at this time of year when everyone is in the spirit of giving we want to emphasise a hand up rather than a handout,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

The Give Dignity campaign encourages the donation of essential items as it helps give street people a sense of dignity, while cash handouts often encourage them to remain living on the street.

'This time of year tends to see an increase in goodwill towards the less fortunate, and we encourage acts of kindness. However, the City would like to advise against indiscriminate handouts.’

‘Traffic light donations are discouraged. These provide temporary reprieve, but they also mean that the person is unlikely to seek help from shelters or other organisations that work to reintegrate street people. It is easier to hand over some money and keep walking, but it encourages street people to remain in a cycle of homelessness. We need residents to help us break this cycle and to instead donate much needed essentials. We therefore urge the public to continue to make donations of cash, clothing or food to registered organisations or at  designated locations in our libraries instead’, said Councillor Badroodien.