With more and more community members being infected by Covid-19, Edenvale Volunteers stepped up to the plate when it launched a feeding programme.
The programme aimed at feeding Covid-19 infected households was launched on January 13 by the volunteers when they realised how badly the community wanted to help without being on the frontlines themselves.
Candice Maher, a founder of the group of volunteers, said the idea stemmed from another group she is a member of, Creative Image Edenvale.
The group of volunteers was founded in 2016 after the floods to clean and attend to the flood damage caused.
“We want to make sure the infected are looked after and getting the nutrients they need.”
She said last year the group provided non-perishable soup jars to residents of a Bapsfontein informal settlement.
“I thought it was a good initiative as the uncooked food would last long and it was protected from rats and most insects,” said Candice.
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However, as the pandemic worsened and the need to help those in her community worsened Candice decided to focus more on Edenvale. “Edenvale Volunteers has always been for Edenvale and Edenvale residents.”
Candice said as a former principal she had a plethora of contacts to try and help her get the ball rolling on the project.
“The response from the community has been really good, schools are challenging one another. Residents from retirement villages are tired of knitting and have decided to join the project and are helping where they can.”
Candice said she is looking forward to seeing where the project will go in the coming weeks.
Candice said the soup mix will feed about four people and can be stretched if community members add extra such as chicken pieces or stewing beef.
She said to cook the soup the dry ingredients will need to be added to one/two litres of water. If the soup is not finished in one sitting it can be frozen for another meal.
Besides helping those infecting with Covid-19, Candice believes the project will teach children about community responsibility and helping those in need.
Candice said through this project parents can teach their children the importance of sharing and helping others during hardship and strife.
“Children and families can also write get-well letters and messages which will motivate and lift the spirits of those infected.
“I think as more people, who are closer to us, become infected by Covid-19 the virus becomes more of a reality and people feel a greater need to help.”
Candice said because the soup jars are comprised of non-perishables, if uncooked, it has a shelf life of approximately six months.
She said if community members heal up while the jar is in their possession, they should return it so it can be donated to a soup kitchen or somebody else in need.
Community members who wish to help can do so by donating packed 500g soup jars, soup ingredients or jars.
Alternatively, they can assist by volunteering to pack jars with ingredients, label the jars or deliver them when the deliveries start.
Donations can be dropped off at SPAR Dowerglen or Uncle Sam’s Kitchen in Edenvale CBD.
Visit and join the Edenvale Volunteers Facebook page for more information.
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