PA Soup Kitchen fills about 2,000 tummies every week
This year, the Port Alfred Soup Kitchen’s 25th anniversary year, has been rather tough for everyone, with finances tight and needs increasing.
The Soup Kitchen has gone from providing about 1,500 to 2,000 meals a week, and maybe more, (the satellite kitchens divide their share between more people, so a little less for each).
Despite this, a few more soup distribution kitchens have been added, and we have been able to help extra families and individuals in desperate need.
We have always had enough so that no-one in need is turned away.
We are deeply grateful to our farmers (who mostly wish to remain anonymous), to all our local businesses and phenomenal. A huge thank you for your support this year and over the last 25 years.
Our regular and occasional volunteers have been stars at preparing for the twice-weekly soup runs and special events held during the last year (see insert).
After the sad passing of David Steck, we appreciated help from Martin Nel. Hector MacDonald then re-joined as kitchen manager – welcome Hector, it’s been a blessing to work alongside you.
Thank you to all our committee members who make things happen.
They hold the responsibility of making sure funds are used correctly, and that our kitchen provides food, clothing, blankets and Christmas gifts to people who need it the most. We would love to have a few more drivers to alternate the deliveries and ease the burden on our current drivers, as well as extra committee members who can help spread the load.
We have developed a vegetable garden at the Soup Kitchen premises and use the produce to prepare soup.
Next year, we hope to extend this project to teach, help and encourage our soup recipients to grow vegetables in their own communities wherever possible.
Our motto continues to be: “Noone goes to bed on an empty stomach.”
The committee and volunteers at the Port Alfred Soup Kitchen would like to wish the generous and caring community of Ndlambe a very Merry Christmas and a blessed 2024.
John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
In April this year, we held an Easter Egg Drive (El Shaddai).
A Spring Fun Run was held in September.
Mandela Day in July was celebrated with Edge Financial Group.
We joined National Sandwich Day in October, and the Build It Golf Day at the Royal St Andrews in November.
On Thursday December14, we held a Christmas Gift drive, and on Friday December 15, a Christmas Fun Run was organised.