Dorcas Aid Relief and Development has been part of the Florida community for decades, giving a helping hand to those who need it.
The organisation has once again stepped up by taking over the soup kitchen that was closed 18 months ago. The soup kitchen was part of an initiative by four churches in the area, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the churches had to stop the service.
Lionel Cohen from Dorcas Aid said the soup kitchen was always a success but after the churches closed it down, there was a huge void that needed to be filled.
“We had a vision to restart this service to the community because our people are hungry. We had trial runs earlier this month to see how it would go and the response was overwhelming. There is an enormous need for this soup kitchen in this area,” he said.
The community has been of immense assistance to Dorcas Aid, helping the soup kitchen in numbers, and donating soup mixes and ready made soups to the organisation.
“We freeze all the soup we get and then heat it overnight so it is ready for consumption. The needy are welcome because we want to help them. Our dream is to have this soup kitchen five times a week and have more community involvement in the project. The support from the community and the local churches has been amazing so far but we are still in need of more soup donations and unwanted items for the charity shop. If they can’t donate, those interested can still come and volunteer,” said Lionel.
Close friends Johan Lloyd and Dean Zwarts have decided to volunteer at the soup kitchen every Wednesday as their way of giving back.
“I used to volunteer for the church until that fell away and for a while I did nothing. Then one day I was having a braai with Dean and the idea to start volunteering came up. Now we want to do more by getting sponsored nights to feed the community and maybe more volunteers,” said Johan.
His sentiments were echoed by Dean, who added that making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate is what it’s about. “We all go through hard and difficult times but it’s when things are rosy that we should give and assist those in need. Step up and give them a hand because they need it,” he said.
The soup kitchen operates on Mondays and Fridays from 9am to 10.30am, and again on Wednesdays from 5pm to 7pm.
For more information, contact Dorcas Aid on 011 672 9669.
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