Soup kitchen feeds the body and mind
Zandile Bokwana
NEWTON Park Methodist Church's soup kitchen serves about 100 people a week and has been running for three years.
The soup kitchen was first headed by Mark Mullen and now it is run by Caleb Frieskaar who is helped by about 15 volunteers.
The soup kitchen receives donations from Fruit & Veg City (their main sponsor), Spar and from church and community members.
"We feed about 100 people. We see new faces every week," missions director and ministries coordinator Norma Bellardi said.
According to her, the church's soup kitchen is more than just a place that hands out something to eat to the community.
Those who attend the soup kitchen can also get their CVs printed, and also receive clothes and nappies, Bellardi said.
"Our aim is to uplift the community and to assist those in need in finding jobs. We don't want to see them here every year, so we print CVs for them and help them apply for their identity documents. We helped 50 people to receive their ID books this year," she said.
"We also get donations of clothing and other essentials that we sell to make money for the church," Bellardi said. Items which cannot be sold are given to those who come to the soup kitchen.
Frieskaar hopes to make a difference in people's lives. "I am going to work closely with a small group and assist them in changing their situations." he said.
One attendee Frederick Windvogel, who is a car guard in the suburb, said the soup kitchen helped him very much.
The soup kitchen runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am to midday.
Anyone who wants to donate can contact the church at (041)363-1690.
Side note: Zola Wellington Kose is asked to fetch his ID at the church.