In honour of Mandela Day and 67 Minutes of Kindness, Absa nominated the Randburg Methodist Church’s soup kitchen as their beneficiary. On 17 July blankets and goodie bags were donated to supplement the soup, bread and fruit handed out on the premises every Monday and Friday. The main attraction, however, was the donation of a gas stove.
Sue Pearson of the Randburg Methodist Church explained that she had gone to Absa Head Office to make a presentation. Reshma Sivparsad, head of Community Service Initiatives, came out to see the kitchen. As it happens, she came on a day during load shedding and there was no way to warm the soup. Pearson said, “We had to give these poor people cold soup. Can you imagine your only meal for days being cold soup?” She credited Sivparsad as being the powerhouse behind the donation of the stove.
Absa representatives, Beki Mkhabela, head of Social Responsibility and Rachel Moncaster, head of Africa Resilience, were on hand for the official handover of the stove and to help serve soup and distribute the goods. Many members of Absa were present to assist, including the Absa choir who moved the audience.
The kitchen serves soup, bread and fruit at the Randburg Methodist Church every Monday and Friday at 11am sharp. The soup is cooked by the congregation and the bread is donated by the Engen Garage situated on the corner of Republic Road and Judges Avenue in Randburg. The church buys the butter and peanut butter for the sandwiches. According to Pearson, they serve approximately 35 – 40 people on those days.
Details:
For any community members wanting to contribute to the kitchen, contact Sue Pearson at suep@absamail.co.za
