Non-profit organisations (NPOs) were out in full force during December trying to make Christmas a merry and memorable one for the people they help throughout the year.
Fred and Martie’s Soup Kitchen is one of the many organisation’s that gathered donations and hosted Christmas parties for elderly residents and children in the area.
During November 2020, they approached the community to ask for volunteers and donations to assist with these parties, which they had themed ‘A Trip Down Candy Cane Lane,’ and the response was unfathomable.
Riaan and Yolindie Oberholzer, co-owners of the Soup Kitchen, have now come forward to thank everyone who assisted for lending a hand and opening their hearts to the initiative. The Christmas party for the children in the area was an overwhelming success. Different age groups attended the party at different times to abide by Covid-19 regulations and overall, a whopping 625 children were in attendance.
Thanks to the help of charitable community members, each child was able to be spoiled with hot dogs, juice, ice cream, candy floss, popcorn, party packs and a Christmas present.
“We want to thank everyone involved for not only making this possible, but for making it extra special!” Yolindie said.
Fred and Martie’s Soup Kitchen does fantastic work feeding hungry community members from Monday to Friday throughout the year.
Yolindie added that the kitchen would like to encourage residents to not only give once a year, but make giving a part of their daily lives because the joy that even the smallest donations can bring is amazing. Volunteering is just as rewarding; giving of yourself to help those with nothing is extremely humbling and knowing you have helped bring joy to someone’s life is a fantastic gift.
If you are thinking about donating to the soup kitchen, here are their 2020 statistics to show what your help can achieve:
• 233 190 meals provided to less fortunate children and elderly folks
• 20 640 school lunch boxes packed and distributed
• 781 blankets donated
• 386 children and adults provided with winter clothes
• 20 reading sessions hosted in their library
• 10 youth services and 20 prayer meetings
• 5 000 food parcels distributes (all including vegetables from the veggie garden that the soup kitchen maintains throughout the year)
“We can’t always express our innermost appreciation as often as we want to, therefore we want to use this opportunity to tell you how much we appreciate all you do for us. Your love for our cause leaves a tradition with a future. You give our children and elderly folks hope,” concluded Yolindie.
If you would like to get involved with the soup kitchen or you are able to make a donation, contact Yolindie and Riaan on 082 854 6904 or 082 786 8517.
Emails can also be sent to yolindie@sopkombuis.com. This NPO is Section 21 certified and can therefore issue IT18A certificates for tax deductions on financial donations they receive.
