Pots of Hope for those in need
LYME PARK – St Stithians Girls' College partnered with Doorway to Dignity for this year's Pots of Hope event that took place on World Homeless Day.
For the past three years, Doorway to Dignity has held its Pots of Hope potjiekos competition at Ferndale Bible Chapel, but this year’s event was a little different.
Instead of having the usual pop-up restaurant format for homeless and destitute folk, potjies were prepared at contestants’ homes and distributed to various shelters and feeding schemes.
The school provided a venue for judging the potjies and its learners volunteered to help package potjie meals.
“Thanks to all our potjie chefs’ contributions, as well as other meal donations, we were able to distribute just over 400 meals,” said representative Belinda van Heerden.
Beneficiaries included the Frida Hartley Shelter for destitute women and children, Thandanani House of Refuge, Laerskool Fontainebleau Outreach Programme, Abraham Kriel Boys’ Home, Rabasotho School in Diepsloot, the temporary shelter at Fontainebleau and various families in need.
“We were blessed with perfect weather and great fun was had by all. Although the overall prize for the winning potjie went to a pair of St Stithians girls, Matt de Gale did Ferndale Bible Chapel proud for having the most original dish – Ethiopian lamb,” added Van Heerden.
In 2016, Doorway to Dignity created Pots of Hope, an annual event in which homeless and destitute people are treated to a dignified and enjoyable restaurant-style experience.
The event allows organisations and individuals to show love and compassion for people who struggle daily to survive, either by cooking or serving.
The organisers wished to thank Core Catering Randburg who donated their presentation plates for the competition.
