Soup kitchen feeds children

Since last year, at least 143 destitute children in the Newlands area, are served a lunch meal during weekdays at the Mooipoort Revival Centre.

This follows a feeding scheme initiative of a soup kitchen that was started by the church.

Besides the feeding scheme, at least 88 families also collect food parcels on a weekly basis.

Andrew Gordon, member of the church, explained that their main purpose is to take children away from the street life.

He said they established that most of the young ones were in need and were easily lured to the street life of drug abuse.

“Most of these children’s parents are drug addicts and don’t really feed their children properly,” he explained.

Pastor Corrie Havenga indicated that their main goal is to help homeless residents who are loitering around the streets of Newlands.

Church members volunteer to cook for children and they go out in search of donations.

“We need more donations to help those children live better lives,” Pastor Havenga explained.

He further explained that they not only give them food but also educate children about life and how to succeed in their future endeavours.

“We also assist community members with rehabilitation to help them fight drug addiction. Meanwhile, we have a small space for our kitchen and we will welcome assistance from the public,” indicated Pastor Havenga.

The church applied for a property from the City of Joburg and hopes to turn that place into an overnight shelter. “This will certainly decrease the problem of vagrants and, ultimately, eradicate crime incidents in our community,” explained Gordon.

He concluded that the church relied on public donations to ensure the initiative was a consistent effort and helped more children.

Anyone willing to assist with cash, food, blankets and clothes can call the initiative’s organisers at the church.

Details: Mooipoort Revival Centre 076 855 9937, 078 182 5989. 078 283 4936.

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