Challenges and gratitude at Soup Kitchen AGM

The Port Alfred Soup Kitchen held their AGM on April 21.

Being unable to hold an AGM last year due to the lockdown, the Soup Kitchen was pleased to be able to update the public on their current operations

Craig Ellis became chairperson in May of 2020 after Helmut Hartleb stepped down after 10 years of service to the board.

Hartleb will remain a committee member.

In his speech, Ellis thanked the various committee members and staff.

He welcomed Julie Baker as operations supervisor, who has taken over from Hector

MacDonald, who left due to illness but will still remain a volunteer from time to time.

Ellis also thanked all the individuals and organisations who had come to the aid of the Soup Kitchen, from attending to freezers that had packed in to fixing broken cooking pots.

Appreciation was also extended to Stenden’s Universities For World Hunger project in the Netherlands for the funds much-needed funds raised through the students’ initiatives.

Klaas Wybo van der Hoek, a member of the Stenden University board in the

Netherlands for the past 20 years, resigned with a fundraising event in support of the Soup Kitchen, and raised a significant amount of money.

Another unexpected source of help was SERR Synergy, which sponsor BEE-compliant non-profit organisations, which gave a further substantial amount to the Soup Kitchen.

Woolworths, SPAR, Pick n Pay and Fresh Stop were all given a word of thanks for their ongoing support and donations which offer desperate people that bit extra.

The Port Alfred Round Table were also thanks for supplying vouchers for meat and vegetables.

All local farmers were also given sincere thanks for their amazing quantities of veggies that keep the soup pots boiling.

Ellis thanked the many individuals and organisations that have contributed, both locally and from overseas, as well as the volunteer women’s Christmas group who always ensure the children are catered for with gifts over the holiday season.

Ellis finally acknowledged the volunteers and drivers who give of their time and without whom the Soup Kitchen would not be able to operate in the way it does. The unaudited financials were given by the treasurer and the office bearers names read out.

Several new office bearers were welcomed – Judy Mgudwa, Morena Khashane, Tali Alexandre, Luba Sabelo, and Julie Baker.

The floor was then opened for comments, suggestions or questions.

One of the attendees gave feedback of being impressed by the Soup Kitchen’s operations and congratulated its members on their governance.

Soup Kitchen founder Debra Harris mentioned that funds had dropped due to Covid-19 and having no assistance from Lotto.

She agreed that the Soup Kitchen needed mentoring as they were continually looking for funding.