Witbank Methodist Church launches soup kitchen

It is Jesus Christ who says “For I was hungry, you never gave me something to eat” Matthew 25:42

June 18, 2021

Samantha Traill 2 minutes read

Poverty continues to present an enormous challenge to the well-being of humanity. Poverty knows no race, no gender, no culture, and no religion ‒ it affects everyone.

Last week Thursday, June 10 the Witbank Methodist Church launched a soup kitchen community outreach program for community members at Louise Street.

As the church it is our conviction that the church cannot continue ignoring the plight and concerns of God’s people. The church exists for the people of God; the church has to have preferential option for the poor, vulnerable and needy people.

The church must reach out to the world and become the embodiment of Christ’s love to the world.

It is Jesus Christ who says “For I was hungry, you never gave me something to eat” Matthew 25:42

These words continue to disturb our conscience as the church; we can’t continue to act as if there is no poverty at the doorstep of our church.

The church recently discovered that the clinic is servicing almost 200 people daily who come from all walks of life in Emalahleni. Most of the people are coming from very impoverished communities, seeking health care services.

Most of the people are coming to fetch their chronic medication. The Methodist Church leadership approached the clinic to ask if the church could serve some food for their patients. The clinic warmly welcomed the idea, and informed the leaders.

Some of their clients arrive at the clinic as early as 05:00 in the morning to join the long queues, so that they can access health care treatment. Some people have to wait for hours before they can be assisted because of the huge number of clients attended by the clinic staff.

The church then agreed and that is when they started up a soup kitchen community outreach program, to offer some immediate relief for those who are coming to access health care services at the clinic.

The outreach team called for donations from members of the congregation, who responded generously by donating soup and bread. The team set out on Thursday morning, June 10 at 06:00 at the clinic to serve the community with warm soup and fresh bread.

On Thursday morning 40 people were served with bread and soup and on Friday 80 people were served with soup and bread, inclusive of the clinic staff, and staff members of Emalahleni Private Hospital in the CBD.

This ministry will be done daily between Monday and Friday, at 06:30 ‒ 07:30 in the morning to serve the community members who arrived in the clinic in early hours of the morning.

This ministry solely depends on some of the church donations and funds for its continuity. If you would like to make any form of donations, you are more than welcome to do so.

For more information you can contact Bongi Shownge on 076 382 4695, Jill Marks on 084 460 6791 or Sandra in the office on 013 692 3632.