NG Kerk Alberton-Suid soup kitchen feeds job seekers for 20 years
The soup kitchen feeds between 70 and 90 people per day.
For the past two decades, NG Kerk Alberton-Suid (Dutch Reformed Church Alberton South) has been making a significant difference in the lives of job seekers in their community.
Initially started by a group of women, the initiative is now led by Natalie Strydom, who continues to ensure its success and impact on the community.
Through their soup kitchen, they serve soup and bread to individuals standing on the roadside, mostly men actively searching for employment.
According to Natalie, one leader of the initiative, the project relies heavily on contributions from the congregation.
“Now and then, people from the community also drop off donations,” she said.
The soup kitchen runs five days a week throughout the year, only closing for a break from December 16 to January 3.
In 2024 alone, the kitchen served 13 407 meals, while in 2023, it supported 12 124 people.
Daily, they feed between 70 and 90 people, most of whom are men from Thokoza and the surrounding areas who come to Alberton in search of work.
Among them, the church has identified only two women as regular visitors.
“These men stand on the roadside from 07:00, hoping to find work. If they don’t get a job, they come here to eat,” Strydom explained.
Addressing criticism from some in the community, Strydom emphasised, “We are feeding job seekers, not enabling addiction or crime. These are hardworking men who want to support their families.”
Running the soup kitchen
Natalie leads the initiative with help from the church and local partners.
Volunteers prepare the soup at their homes and deliver it to the church for serving.
Each individual receives two cups of soup and eight slices of bread, with the kitchen using approximately 4 640l of soup annually.
Contributions also come from local businesses, such as Debonairs, which donates excess dough for bread, and an anonymous bakery that supplies wraps.
Besides the soup kitchen, the church supports Montanus Primary School’s feeding scheme, providing cooked meals to 70 children five days a week.
Expanding impact through collaboration
The church plans to expand its impact and hosted a meeting to explore sustainable ways to expand its impact on January 23.
A social worker from SAPU, Randburg, presented a programme offering training, meals, and gardening opportunities in exchange for vouchers.
The event was attended by organisations such as ACT, Tutela, Solidarity Helping Hand, and Alberton Methodist Church.
The church has scheduled another meeting for March 18 at 18:30, where local councillors and stakeholders from the Ekurhuleni region will discuss collaborative solutions.
“We want to work with churches and NGOs to address community needs in a way that fosters long-term improvement,” Strydom said.
How you can help
Despite the success of the initiative, the church faces limitations in supporting the families of job seekers.
“If the father is fed, he can look for a job, but we wish we could do more for the families back home,” Strydom shared.
The church is appealing for donations of dry soup mixes, soup powders, pasta, and fresh vegetables. Drop off these at NG Kerk Alberton-Suid from Tuesday to Friday, between 08:00 and 13:00.
They also need volunteers to serve soup.
Additionally, the church welcomes students needing to complete community service hours and provides letters of recommendation for their efforts.
She encouraged organisations interested in collaborating on community outreach initiatives, such as Mandela Day projects, to get involved.
For more information about donations or volunteering, contact Natalie Strydom at 082 675 7558 or via email at natalie@albertonsuid.com
This initiative, rooted in compassion and a commitment to uplifting the community, continues to make a lasting difference, one bowl of soup at a time.
