Christmas treats for Cape's homeless
IT WAS a rare treat of fried chicken, vegetables and open entertainment as hundreds of homeless people were spoilt to a pre-Christmas lunch in the centre of Cape Town.
Congregants of the Central Methodist Mission on Greenmarket Square, and Ladles of Love joined forces to bring smiles to Cape Town’s homeless. About 600 homeless people enjoyed a banquet in Church Street, which included food and entertainment, at a pre-Christmas lunch yesterday.
“These are people who have very little and live under extreme, difficult conditions which they never chose. It takes strength of character to survive on the streets and people discriminate against these people while they don’t know what pushed them here. Instead of having them spend the season of giving alone and without much to enjoy, we wanted to help them forget about their situations for a few hours and enjoy life,” Reverend of the Central Methodist Mission, Alan Storey said.
Tasleema Clayton, 30, who sleeps on Adderley Street, said she can’t remember the last time she felt happy and special. “This really means a lot to me and my family. It is my daughter’s first Christmas meal, she is 10 months old. We really appreciated what the church and the organisation is doing for us.”
Danny Diliberto, founder of Ladles of Love, a volunteer organisation that runs feeding programmes for the homeless, said the lunch was to help restore the dignity of the homeless and poor.
“Homelessness is an issue, so we decided three years’ ago to help and feed people on Tuesdays. We also do a soup kitchen on Thursdays and Saturdays in two shelters. I believe if you have something to give then give. They are here because of issues they couldn’t control. Some want to work, but no one wants to give them a chance,” Diliberto said.