Three days a week three volunteers from SpringsCare Soup Kitchen provide soup and bread to the homeless and people living in poverty.
They are a familiar face in Wit Road, Lodeyko on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning.
The local charity, established in 2010, feeds about 100 people three times a week.
George Volkwyn, his wife Martie and Colleen Steyl are soup kitchen volunteers who serve soup and bread to these people.
It is one thing to buy an occasional meal for a homeless person when you see someone in need, but these volunteers are going the extra mile by providing a feast for anyone who needs it.
“At least three people are needed to help serve the bread and soup,” says George.
They have a disciplined structure in place where all the people form a line and are then served individually on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis.
Each person is given a cup of soup and they can have as much bread as they wish depending on what is available.
A woman who works for a local company in New Era makes the soup.
“We supply her with the ingredients from donations we received,” he says.
The bread is also donated by a local business.
“Our aim is to give them hot soup and bread throughout the year,” says George.
According to Martie and Colleen there are about 15 children during the school holidays who also benefit from the soup kitchen.
“We strive to be able to operate the kitchen every day,” says says Martie.
Colleen says it is a rewarding service.
“A simple thank you, makes our day,” she adds.
Michael Nkwasi is unemployed and has been a regular customer for the past year.
“They serve the best soup three times a week.
“I am doing ‘piece jobs’ to be able to buy food for myself on the days the soup kitchen doesn’t operate,” he says..
The soup kitchen manages to operate because of the caring services of volunteers, and donations from individuals or corporate companies.
