Sunlight feeds Claremont for dishes

Residents of Claremont and the surrounding areas needed to eat, while Sunlight dishwashing liquid needed plates to clean.

Thus they helped fulfill each other’s needs at Church of Johannesburg, Claremont, on 2 and 3 August.

“Our lab said we can wash 30 000 plates with one bottle so we wanted to put it to the test,” said Sunlight dishwashing liquid brand manager Ana Maria about the company’s ongoing national project – Sunlight’s 30 000 Plates Challenge.

“This is Sunlight dishwashing liquid’s way of contributing to people’s lives. We have already done about 15 000 plates and there is still left in the bottle so I think we will make it.”

Hundreds of residents poured into the church, eager to receive a free plate of chicken, rice and gravy, with a cup of juice, and sat at decorated tables in a hall full of laughter and smiles.

“People here are impoverished, no matter what race,” said Bradley Thinnies, one of the five pastors of the church, which is run by Bishop Dulton Adams.

“Some have never sat at a table with a centre-piece. Even at home, they are used to eating with plastic plates. Sunlight has given them so much hope and made them feel special.”

After most people had eaten, older residents sat and talked, children played outside and Sunlight staff started scrubbing plates.

“This is meeting the needs of the community,” said resident Ntsoaki Mohlako.

“I think this is the best idea they could have had so people will pick Sunlight.”

Details: Sunlight dishwashing liquid consumer care line 086 057 2908; Church of Johannesburg 076 713 6396.