WATCH: Samaritan says goodbye to his community
ChowTime Community Food Drive started when lockdown hit and has been feeding thousands of families on a weekly basis.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2023/03/dom-780x470.jpg)
A TREASURE Beach father, who represented a beacon of hope to underprivileged residents in the south Durban area, had mixed emotions as he prepared to leave his community next week to pursue other interests in Australia. Dominic Graham Samuels, fondly known as Big Dom, has been a friendly face in the Wentworth and surrounding communities, giving back to residents by providing hot meals for free, served from his minibus named ‘Scooby’.
Well-known for dressing as Father Christmas during the festive season while handing out treats, food and gifts to children and elderly residents, Samuels started his feeding project, which caters for those who sometimes go a long while without a meal after being inspired by his son, Grayson, when the lockdown started.
ALSO READ: Help Treasure Beach dad spread Christmas magic
Growing up in Wentworth, a community riddled with various social ills, the 50-year-old father of two used leftover resources and groceries from the food truck once it was forced to close during the first lockdown, to take his project, ChowTime Community Food Drive, from feeding hungry tummies on a weekly basis to a daily feeding project, where thousands of residents living below the breadline were able to have access to a hot meal or two a day, for free.
“I was proud of my son for thinking of the idea and sparking this initiative. I am glad that I was able to be of help and spread hope wherever I went by doing small acts of kindness. The ChowTime Community Food Drive was a success thanks to the support of a few donors who chose to remain anonymous. I thank everyone who helped me drive this initiative and I will surely miss serving my community,” added Samuels.
With his heart always in his hometown, Samuels says he will offer contributions and assistance towards organisations in the south Durban area from abroad and will enjoy providing relief for those in need, even while he is not physically able to.
WATCH:
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics. To receive news via our Telegram group, send a WhatsApp message to 084 418 2286.
For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.